275 
FQSAZ 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


AN  ODD 
SOLDIERY0 


JIrthur.F 
Fu  uejo 


I 


' 


1914 
NINTH  EDITION 


An  Odd  Soldiery 

The  Tale  of  a  Sojourner 

Being  the  Autobiography  of 

ARTHUR  FRANKLIN  FULLE.R 

A  Soldier  of  MIS-fortune  and 
Author  of 

Fifty  Thousand  Miles  Back-Ridden 

(His  Experience  in  Different  Cities) 

An  Odd  Romance 

(Love  Stories  from  Life)  5 ' 

A  Book  of  Poems 

(Noble  Sentiments  in  Dainty  Garb) 

The  Golden  Chalice  and  Other  Poems 

(Poems  for  the  Warm-Hearted  and  Refine- 1 

5even  Essays 

(Pilate's  Big  Question— Mercy— Marriage  and  Divorce — 
The  Written  Message— Gossip— Music— Friendship) 

The  Magnet 

A  Monthly  Pamplet  of  Personal  Experience 


ANCHOR  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 

1501  Louisiana  Avenue 

Fort  Worth,  Tex.is 


, 


4 


. 


Copyright  1914 
by  Arthur  F.  Fuller 


I  Q  (4- 


CONTENTS 

Chapter 

I      Making   a    Start — The   Pursuit   of    Happiness   in   Time 
of  Peace. 

II      Mishaps. 

III  Winning    Credits — Assembling    the    Accoutrements    of 

War. 

IV  A  Narrow  Escape — A  Change  of  Scene. 
V     War  Declared. 

VI      A  Few  Skirmishes — The  Seamy  Side  of  Soldiery. 

VII      Arrival  of  Long  Looked  for  Reinforcements — Crushed 
by  Unsuspected  Enemy. 

VIII  A  Renegade's  Ruse — A  Spy's  Damaging  Work — Prom- 
ised Ammunition  Intercepted  by  the  Enemy — Heroic 
Sacrifices  of  Faithful  Allies — An  Able  General  to 
the  Fore — Hope  of  Victory — A  Better  Position 
Gained. 

IX  Holding  the  Fort. 

X  A  Running  Fight 

XI  The  Enemy's  Ambuscade. 

XII  Repelling  Repeated  Charges. 

XIII  More  Entrenchments. 

XIV  Shrapnel  into  the  Enemy's  Camp. 

XV  The  Enemy's  Woolwich  Gun  Silenced. 

XVI  One  More  of  the  Enemy's  Batteries  Silenced. 

XVII  The  Crucial  Conflict. 

XVIII  Bushwhacking  Sharp  Shooters. 

XIX  Overtures  for  Peace. 

XX  Conclusion. 


1232384 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

Frontispiece Page    5 

"The  Little  Singer" 9 

St.  James  Choir,  Chicago 14 

The  Author's  Parents          ...                ...  18 

A  Short  Time  Before  the  Disasterous  Fall    ...  21 

After  a  Year's  Struggle  to  Overcome  Damage  Done  by  Fall  27 

Arthur  Franklin  Fuller 33 

Cathedral  Cloister 36 

Three  Cathedral  Buildings 45 

Bishop  Grafton 48 

William  Smedley 54 

High  Altar  at  St.  Paul's 63 

How  Author  Looked  in  Vestments          ....  78 

Author  Being  Carried  from  Wagon  to  Bed  by  Passerby  86 

Practicing  Economy 93 

Dining  At  a  Restaurant 99 

How  the  Author  Plays  the  Piano 102 

Picture  of  Author  for  Those  Who  Like  to  Think  of 
Him  as  Musician,  Composer,  Author  and 

Poet  Rather  Than  As  a  Cripple     ....  113 

Sleep-Time 143 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER 
Author — Composer 


J/***..  &"-<i.^?*/?/p: 


ZZ&wji'ejU '  C"*^/* 


CHAPTER  I. 

Making  A  Start— The  Pursuit  of  Happiness  in  Time  of 

Peace. 

EVERY  mother  thinks  her  new  baby  is  a  Little  the 
dearest,  sweetest  thing  on  earth,  and  1  suppose 
my  deaf  mother  was  no  exception  to  the  rule, 
when  on  a  June  morning  a  son  was  born  to  her.  I  have 
no  doubt  although  it  seems  quite  preposterous  now,  that 
I  was  gifted  with  the  usual  infantile  charms  and  cute- 
ness;  but  at  any  rate,  like  other  infants  it  came  to  pass 

that  I  grew  up. 

Both  my  parents  were  possessed  of  a  greal  Love  tor 
music  and  a  musical  temperament  generally;  and  both 
had  sung  more  or  less  all  their  lives,  so  it  was  not  sur- 
prising to  find  that  I  shoAved  a  talent  for  music. 

When  I  was  seven  or  eight  years  old,  I  was  admit- 
ted into  the  junior  choir  of  St.  James  Church,  <  liieago, 
where  I  served  but  a  short  time  until  1  was  promoted 
into  the  senior  choir.  Mr.  William  Smedley.  beloved  of 
all  who  have  ever  known  him.  was  then  the  choirmaster. 
The  enviable  position  of  Soprano  Soloist  was  held 
by  Claud  Anderson,  a  boy  possessed  of  a  beautiful  char- 
acter as  well  as  a  beautiful  voice.  He  was  an  orphan 
boy.  and  had  been  brought  from  England  by  Mr.  Smed- 
ley. 

People  who  are  thoroughly  posted  on  the  history  of 
the  choirs  of  this  country  will  vouch  for  the  statement 
that  the  work  of  St.  .James  choir  has  never  been  excelled, 
and  possibly  never  equalled.  In  fact,  the  list  of  oratorios, 
sacred  cantatas,  anthems,  etc.,  which  it  has  rendered  is 
equalled  by  few  if  any  choirs  or  musical  societies  in  the 
world.  And  without  doubt  William  Smedley  was  one  of 
the  ablest,  most  successful  and  best  known  choirmasters 
or  organizers  of  his  time.  So  my  experience  at  St.  James 
Church  was  in  every  way  a  benefit  and  a  joy  which  shall, 
no  doubt,  last  through  eternity.  "A  man  who  has  no 
music  in  his  soul  is  tit  for  treason's  strategy  and  crime." 
And  a  man  whose  soul  rings  with  the  praise  and  adora- 
tion of  the  Deity  incidental  to  a  long  association  with. 
and  by  whole-hearted  service  in  such  work,  cannot  fail  to 
be  uplifted  and  comforted  by  it. 


6  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

As  a  boy  I  had  an  unusual  voice,  which  was  de- 
scribed as  being  "  of  a  mellow,  flute-like  quality, ' '  and  yet 
with  great  power  and  sympathy.  To  the  accompaniment 
of  Professor  P.  C.  Lutkin,  who  was  then  organist  of  St. 
James,  I  vocalized  for  Mr.  Smedley  and  the  choir  room 
full  of  members,  to  an  octave  above  high  C;  that  is  to  say. 
the  C  above  the  second  added  line  above  the  treble  clef. 
Under  Mr.  Smedley 's  direction  in  oratorios  rendered  in 
the  church  service,  I  sang  E  above  high  C;  I  could  also 
sing  comfortably  E  below  middle  C:  that  is  to  say,  below 
the  third  added  line  under  the  treble  clef. 

In  course  of  time  I  came  to  be  the  soprano  soloist  of 
St.  James  Church,  and  was  honored  by  such  loving  praise 
as  that  great  soul,Williani  Smedley,  knew  so  well  how  to 
bestow. 

I  can  reflect  and  feel  a  thrill  of  gladness  that,  in  spite 
of  my  physical  handicaps,  I  have  at  least  been  able  to 
demonstrate  that  I  was  made  of  the  right  stuff  and  had 
the  cpiality  of  faithfulness,  as  was  evidenced  by  Mr. 
Smedley 's  calling  me  "Old  Faithful,'"'  repeatedly.  I 
won  numerous  prizes  in  the  contests,  some  of  the  contest- 
ants have  since  risen  to  prominent  musical  positions,  and 
I  had  such  a  reputation  that  it  was  said  I  could  read 
music  up-side-down  just  as  well  as  any  other  way,  and 
tli  is  was  pretty  nearly  true. 

St.  James  choir  was  annually  favored  with  two 
weeks'  "camping  out."  I  think  it  was  the  first  time  it 
was  my  privilege  to  go  along  (having  served  the  neces- 
sary year),  that  the  choir  camped  at  Lake  Harbor,  Mich. 
There  was  a  short,  but  quite  deep,  swift-currented  river 
connecting  a  small  lake  with  Lake  Michigan.  A  road 
ran  alongside  of  the  river  and  was  protected  against  high 
water  by  a  series  of  logs  which  were  piled  high,  along 
the  river  hank.  They  were  very  slimy  and  overgrown 
with  moss.  There  were  trees  on  the  far  side  of  the  road 
which  offered  shade  and  quiet,  so  that  here  was  an  ideal 
place  to  fish. 

It  happened  that  two  young  men,  named  Walter 
Putnam  and  George  Ingalls,  were  fishing  one  beautiful 
summer  day  at  this  place.  I  was  anxious  to  learn  to 
fish,  so  with  their  consent  I  "tagged"  them,  and  made 
my  maiden  effort  as  an  angler.  Due  to  my  inexperience, 
the  tide  carried  my  baited  hook  against  a  snag,  where 
the  hook   caught.      In    course    of  a    few    minutes   a    stiff 


"THE.  LITTLE.  5INGLR' 


10  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

breeze  sprung  up  and  a  strong  gust  lifted  the  waters  into 
snappy  wavelets.  The  snag  jerked.  I  thought  it  was  a 
big  bass — but  when  I  attempted  to  bring  my  catch  into 
position  for  capture,  I  found  the  prize  a  little  bigger  than 
I  could  handle.  Endeavoring  to  disengage  the  hook  I 
stepped  on  the  top-most  log,  and  reached  out  as  far  as 
possible  over  the  river.  As  mentioned  above,  the  logs 
were  slimy  and  covered  with  moss.  So  the  first  anyone 
knew,  there  was  a  splash — and  a  small  boy  was  gurgling 
amidst  the  swirling  waters  where  the  river  was  about 
forty  feet  deep. 

Walter  Putnam  was  the  nearest  man  but  he  was  quite 
a  way  off.  Climbing  down  the  slippery  logs  was  no  easy 
task.  Unfortunately  he  could  not  swim — but  he  had  a 
strong  arm  and  loyal  heart,  so  made  a  heroic  effort  to 
rescue  me.  However  I  was  on  the  third  trip  down  when 
he  secured  a  foot-hold  near  enough  to  reach  me.  There 
was  a  bend  in  the  river  at  this  point,  and  his  calculations 
as  to  how  far  I  would  float  down  stream  wTere,  providen- 
tially, correct.  Doubtless  my  head  had  risen  for  the  last 
time  and  I  was  under  water  an  arm's  length  when  he 
grahhed  desperately,  finding  a  hold  in  my  hair,  which 
fortunately  was  at  that  time  excessively  long.  He  drew 
my  head  above  water  with  his  one  hand  while  he  clung 
to  the  logs  with  the  other.  George  Ingalls  had  set  up  a 
shout  when  I  first  fell  in,  and  now  he  and  the  rapidly 
arriving  fellow-campers  formed  a  human  chain  by  clasp- 
ing hands,  and  George  was  reaching  down  to  Walter  and 
me.  But  Walter's  hold  was  insecure  and  time  after  time 
either  his  hand  or  foot-hold  failed.  Finally  he  lost  both 
holds  almost  entirely,  but  at  the  same  moment  George's 
extended  hand  came  into  reach.  Putnam  found  grip 
again,  steadied  himself,  and  then  passed  me  up  to  the 
anxious  ones  above,  while  the  boats  came  into  service 
from  up-sl  ream. 

How  in  the  world  I  still  lived,  having  imbibed  so 
much  water,  is  a  mystery  to  me.  Bui  in  spite  of  the  fre- 
quent belching  up  of  water,  1  was  able  to  stagger  back 
to  eamp.  I  looked  like  the  proverbial  "drowned  rat." 
Water  dripped  from  me,  fairly  in  bucketfuls.  1  was  so 
weak  and  dizzy  that  my  gait  was  as  uncertain  as  that  of 
a  drunken  man.     Several  times  I  nearly  fell  in  again. 

The  news  had  preceeded  us  to  camp,  and  the  entire 
company  was  lined  up  to  see  the  subject  of  the  threat- 
ened   disaster.      Some    were    sympathetic,    while    others 


ARTHUR   F.   FULLER  H 

leased.  Men  of  family  admonished  thai  in  future  I  be 
less  venturesome.  Hoys  who  were  my  senior  only  a  few 
years,  al  once  developed  such  paternal  interesl  in  my 
safety  that  1  was  almost  miserable  for  several  days  after 

this  episode.      Bui   after  a   while  it    was  forgotten   and  the 

time  for  returning  to  the  city  came  all  too  soon. 

On  the  return  trip  across  Lake  Michigan,  we  en- 
countered quite  a  wind  storm,  which  resulted  in  a  rough 
sea.     I  will   not    claim   that   it    was  wholly  Charity  thai 

caused  me  to  think  that  the  fishes  needed  what  I  had 
recently  eaten  more  than  I  did.  Perhaps  it  was  not  self- 
ishness' <>n  their  pari  which  caused  the  search  for  more. 
I  felt  as  if  I  had  given  up  everything  'twixl  mouth  and 
toe  nails.  As  I  wandered  around  the  boat  in  search  of 
peace,  I  clambered  out  on  the  top  most  deck  where  there 
was  no  railing.  I  sat  down  suddenly  on  deck — not  alto- 
gether from  choice.  I  looked  at  the  taunting  waves,  and 
groaned  with  the  roll  of  the  ship.  After  a  time  I  decided 
to  go  below,  but  as  I  started,  the  ship  careened  more  vio- 
lently and  got  me  started  toward  the  edge  of  the  deck 
until  I  could  not  stop.  A  young  man,  named  Arthur 
Caldwell,  was  silting  near  by.  He  leaped  to  his  feet  and 
grabbed  me  by  the  arm  and  swung  me  flat  on  my  face,  far 
back  on  the  deck.  I  saw  bright  stars  of  hop. — and  I 
fancy  there  were  few  who  were  more  glad  than  1  to  set 
foot  on  terra  firma  again. 

At  this  time  my  parents  lived  at  643  Austin  Avenue. 
Chicago.  Not  far  from  this  place  was  a  short  street  called 
Hart  Street.  On  the  corner  was  a  grocery  store  kept  by 
William  Devitt.  My  three  sisters  and  I  often  went  down 
to  a  place  opposite  his  store  where  some  building  was 
being  done.  The  piles  of  lumber,  brick  and  sand  a  Horded 
great  sport  for  small  fry. 

One  day  when  we  had  played  in  the  sand  until  we 
were  tired,  the  girls  joined  some  companions  in  the  game 
of  "jacks."  I  sat  on  the  curbing  patting  a  small  dog 
which  belonged  to  a  playmate.  Devitts  had  a  large,  tierce 
dog.  It  came  over  to  get  acquainted  with  the  yellow 
specimen  1  was  fondling.  1  could  not  believe  that  any 
creature  toward  which  I  felt  so  kindly,  could  possibly  be 
so  treacherous  as  to  do  me  harm,  so  1  petted  him  a  little. 

Perhaps  the  dog's  dinner  had  not  agreed  with  him, 
but  at  any  rate  he  did  not  seem  to  appreciate  my  atten- 
tions. I  was  so  confident  of  the  gospel  of  love  that  1 
paid  no  heed  to  his  warning  growls,      lint    suddenly  he 


12  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

jumped  upon  me  savagely.  The  screams  of  the  other 
children  brought  the  workmen  out  of  the  building.  How- 
ever, before  the  rescuers  had  reached  me  and  beaten  the 
dog  off,  I  had  received  such  a  "chawing"  as  would  give 
me  something  to  remember  for  years  to  come. 

I  was  carried  tenderly  to  the  nearest  drug  store 
where  the  bites  were  duly  cauterized.  The  whole  neigh- 
borhood appeared  to  be  much  concerned  lest  I  develop 
hydrophobia.  The  police  were  notified  and  after  the 
young  Davit!  boy.  who  ran  down  back  streets  with  the 
dog,  had  been  chased  an  hour  or  two,  they  were  caughl 
and  the  dog  shot.  This  was  supposed  to  stop  any  ten- 
dency to  hydrophobia. 

The  following  spring  I  caught  cold  and  was  Peeling 
so  badly  that  I  was  permitted  to  stay  out  of  school  one 
day.  After  staying  around  the  house  all  day,  about  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  I  asked  permission  to  go  down 
to  the  corner  and  watch  a  crew  of  men  who  were  moving 
an  enormous  house  down  the  middle  of  the  street.  The 
permission  was  granted,  and  I  went  down  and  was  very 
interestedly  watching  the  process  of  house  moving,  when 
something  happened.  I,  however,  did  not  know  much 
about  it,  but  woke  up  in  a  drug  store  with  a  doctor  exam- 
ining my  anatomy  and  saying,  "There  are  no  bones 
broken  and  he  will  be  all  right.  A  little  more  water, 
nurse,  and  another  cold  cloth." 

The  following  day  as  I  lay  on  the  bed  in  the  front 
bedroom  a  big  man  came  to  the  door  and  asked  to  see  me 
and  my  folks.  He  explained  that  he  and  a  heavy  com- 
panion wrere  out  exercising  a  race  horse  which  had  just 
been  shipped  in  from  the  country.  They  did  not  know 
about  the  house  moving,  and  the  horse  was  a  little  dis- 
turbed by  the  sight,  and  as  he  frisked  a  bit,,  one  wheel  of 
the  light  rig  struck  a  large  stone,  and  the  thing  was  so 
top-heavy  that  both  of  them  were  thrown  out,  The  horse, 
then  thoroughly  frightened,  lit  out.  The  house  blocked 
the  street,  so  the  sidewalk  was  the  only  way  the  horse 
could  go.  There  was  a  wooden  fence  some  fifty  feet  long, 
and  the  gig  caught  in  it  and  the  horse  pulled  sonic  thirty 
feet  of  it  down.  This  fortunately,  became  detached  be- 
fore it  reached  me.  It  is  not  known  what  knocked  me 
over,  but  it  is  known  that  that  kind  horse  managed  to 
step  clear  of  mv  head,  his  shoe,  however,  grazing  my 
skull. 


A11THUR  F.  FULLER  '  ; 

CHAPTER  II. 
Mishaps 

THE  i i.-x t  year,  I  believe,  St.  James  Choir  encamped 
at  Lake  Beulah,  Wisconsin.  It  is  a  beautiful  Lake, 
divided  in  two  or  more  important  parts,  and  run- 
ning into  quite  a  river,  and  like  all  o1  her  such  lakes,  there 
were  many  points  of  land  that  came  out  to  such  a  dis- 
tance as  made  swamps  a  natural  consequence.  Hunting 
pun, I  lilies  and  turtle  eggs,  frogs  and  cat-tails,  were  quite 
fascinating  pastimes.  One  clay  I  took  a  hoy  smaller  than 
myself  in  one  of  the  flat  bottomed  boats  provided  for 
choir  use.  and  we  rowed  into  one  of  these  swampy  places. 
A  few  nights  hence  the  choir  was  to  have  its  select 
and  unique  wigwam  beach  dance.  Kadi  of  the  ten  tents 
had  to  furnish  a  bundle  of  cat  lads.  Our  excursion  at 
this  time  was  to  procure  a  supply  for  our  lent.  These 
were  soaked  in  kerosene  oil  and  ignited  at  the  proper 
time.  A  moonless  night  was  chosen,  greal  piles  of  drift 
wood  accumulated  and  arranged  ou  the  beach,  just  out 

of  reach  of  the  water.  The  wood  was  made  to  form  a 
wigwam.  It  was  made  to  reach  a  height  <d'  twenty  feet. 
The  boys  and  young  men,  arrayed  only  in  their  bathing 
suits,  formed  in  single  file  and  paraded  around  on  •"all 
fours."'  like  Indians  who  were  about   to  tire  a  lodging. 

The  utmost  silence  was  maintained  until  the  Leader 
started  a  series  of  rythmical  grunts.  All  the  ' 'bra\  • 
imitated  the  doings  of  the  "chief."  After  a  series  of 
manouvers  on  the  beach,  around  the  piers,  and  the  street 
formed  by  the  tents,  clumps  of  phosphorescent  wood 
were  strewn  around  the  wigwam.  After  some  more 
funny  business,  the  wigwam  was  tired  and  each  "brave" 
lie-hied   his  torch,  coming  up   in   single   file  to  the  very 

place  where  the  leader  had  Lighted  his.  When  the  wig- 
wam was  well  ablaze  the  beach  dam-,'  broke  all  bounds, 
and    the    whoops    and    Squeals    that     tilled    the    air    would 

have  seared  any  well  regulated  tribe  of  savages  into  tits 
of  terror. 

So  then,  it  was  wvy  important  that  we  have  Large 
cat-tails.  On  the  trip  referred  to  we  had  had  very  fair 
success  but    1   saw  a   cluster  of  unusual   size  that  I  wanted 

badlv. 


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ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  15 

The  camp  boats  were  provided  with  sets  of  slats 
which  prevented  the  wetting  of  the  occupants'  feet.  \'>y 
taking  these  shits  out  and  throwing  them  on  the  reeds 
and  thick  sea-weeds,  then  stepping  on  them,  I  could 
reach  cat-tails  which  could  not  be  touched  from  the  boat. 
In  order  to  reach  the  largest  cat-tails,  I  was  compelled 
to  put  out  both  the  front  and  rear  sections  of  these  slats. 
When  the  prizes  were  secured  and  thrown  into  the  boat 
and  I  attempted  to  return  something  happened.  Hither 
the  reeds  gave  way  or  the  sea-weed  began  to  turn  over. 
the  boat  began  to  drift,  the  ends  of  the  sections  of  slats 
which  were  resting  on  the  boat  began  to  push  it  away 
or  perhaps  a  little  of  all  these,  lint  at  any  rate  things 
began  to  sink,  and   1  with  them. 

The  water  was  so  thick  and  the  sea-weed  and  frog- 
muddle  so  abundant,  that  if  ever  a  person's  head  got 
under,  that  would  settle  his  case.  Xo  power  on  earth 
could  get  him  out  alive.  My  left  side  was  nearest  the 
boat.  I  had  an  old  knife  in  my  hand  with  which  I  had 
been  cutting  the  cat-tails.  Its  value  was  not  more  than 
two  cents.  I  made  a  wild  grab  for  the  boat  as  1  went 
down,  and  fortunately  caught  it  with  the  middle  and 
fore-finger  of  my  Left  hand.  The  grip  was  not  the  most 
choice,  but  I  hung  on  with  desperation  and  thus  kepi 
my  head  from  going  under.  The  boy  in  the  boat  was 
too  scared  and  too  small  to  be  of  any  service  to  me. 
When  I  could  dig  some  of  the  •"ooze"  out  of  my  eyes  and 
get  a  decent  breath,  1  found  I  had  hung  on  to  that  old 
wreck  of  a  knife.  I  had  fallen  in  such  a  position  as  ren- 
dered motion  impossible  and  could  not  even  relieve  my 
left  arm  by  taking  hold  with  the  other  hand.  But  fortu- 
nately some  young  men  came  rowing  along  at  the  criti- 
cal moment  and  they  lost  no  time  in  digging  me  out  of 
the  sea-weed. 

Another  year  at  this  same  Lake  Beulah  I  had  a  third 
experience  with  the  water.  St.  dames  Church  had  under 
its  wing  a  mission  church  called  St.  Johns,  at  26  ami  28 
Clyborn  Avenue.  As  a  special  treat  and  stimulus  to  in- 
terest. Dr.  Stone,  Rector,  gave  permission  to  the  choir  of 
that  mission  church  to  go  camping  with  St.  dames.  Rev. 
Irving  Spencer  was  in  charge  of  the  mission  and  went 
along  to  keep  the  boys  straight.  He  was  an  expert 
swimmer  and  taught  many  boys  how  to  swim.  He  had  so 
many  demands  upon  him.  however,  that  he  was  not  able 
to  give  much  time  to  any  one  boy. 


16  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

After  much  verbal  instruction  by  some  of  the  older 
members  of  the  choir  and  much  practice  by  myself,  I 
could  take  three  strokes.  It  is  only  natural  for  a  boy 
to  enjoy  admiration  and  praise,  so  it  should  not  belittle 
me  to  admit  that  in  great  glee,  1  hastened  to  Rev.  Spen- 
cer to  "show  off." 

Just  here  I  should  mention  that  the  beach  at  this 
point  was  very  favorable  and  at  low  tide  small  boys 
could  wade  some  seventy-five  feet  from  the  shore  with- 
out going  over  their  heads.  Mr.  Spencer  was  located 
about  such  a  distance  from  the  shore,  and  was  a  little 
more  than  waist  deep  in  the  water.  To  the  right  of  this 
beach  was  a  place  where  the  slope  to  deep  water  was  not 
nearly  so  gradual  and  he  was  just  about  at  the  extreme 
end  <>f  the  shallow  part. 

When  I  got  to  him,  I  was  so  interested  in  watching 
him  to  see  if  he  were  watching  me  that  I  did  not  notice 
I  was  heading  toward  the  deep  water  instead  of  the  shore. 
I  had  started  from  a  place  where  I  could  barely  touch 
bottom,  and  had  intended  to  swim  into  the  shallow  part. 
I  swam  my  three  strokes  and  a  lot  more,  and  he  watched 

;iik1   called  after  me,  "Bully,  Fuller,  you  are  doing 

fine."'  When  1  was  completely  exhausted  I  attempted  to 
set  lie  down  to  rest,  fancying  the  bottom  would  be  just 
about  under  my  knees,  but  when  I  let  down,  I  kept  on 
going.  My  feet  got  tangled  in  the  sea-weed  at  the  bot- 
tom, and  I  thought  it  was  all  off  with  me.  Feebly  but 
desperately  1  struggled  to  the  surface  and  called  for  help. 

A  hoy  considerably  taller  than  myself  who  could  not 
swim,  was  wading  not  far  from  where  1  was,  and  we  all 
knew  where  there  was  a  sort  of  a  shoal  which  led  into 
the  deep  water.  He  had  not  far  to  go  to  get  to  where  he 
could  reach  me.  lie  si  fetched  out  as  far  as  he  dared  and 
just  the  lips  of  our  fingers  touched.  They  were  slippery 
with  water,  and  I  felt  as  though  I  had  swallowed  about 
half  the  lake  before  we  got  enough  grip  so  that  lie  could 
pull  me  iii.  hut  we  got  there  just  the  same. 

Some  months  after  this  incident,  my  folks  moved  to 
207  North  Oakley  Avenue,  which  was  about  two  blocks 
from  the  Oakley  Avenue  depot  of  the  Northwestern  Rail- 
road. In  those  days  horse  cars  were  the  only  means  of 
transit,  except  by  steam  cars,  and  by  buying  a  twenty- 
ride  ticket,  the  Northwestern  Railroad  would!  carry  peo- 
ple from  Oakley  Avenue  to  Wells  Street  depot  for  five 
cents,  so  my  father  used  the  steam  cars. 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLKIt  17 

During  the  t  wo  years  thai    he   was  tenor  soloist  at 

St.  James  be  took  me  on  the  railroad,  hut  after  he  ac- 
cepted a  better  paying  position  al  Elgin,  III.,  I  used  to  go 
alone.  After  a  time  he  resigned  his  position  at  Elgin  on 
account  of  his  heart  trouble,  and  my  mother,  being  un- 
willing for  him  to  be  gone  on  such  long  trips,  he  accepted 
a  position  which  caused  him  to  cross  the  Western  Avenue 
viaduct.  Under  this  viaduct  passed  three  railroads,  each 
leading  to  an  immense  yard:  The  Chicago  &  Northwest- 
em,  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul,  and  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  &  Quincy.  There  is  always  a  din  of  puffing 
locomotives  and  the  roar  of  wheels  and  the  clang  of  bells 
there,  even  on  Sunday  mornings.  There  was  a  train 
which  was  due  to  pass  this  West  ecu  Avenue  crossing 
where  all  trains  had  to  stop,  at  9:50  a.  m.,  which  just 
brought  us  into  town  in  nice  time  to  get  to  church. 

One  bright  spring  morning,  I  walked  down  the  tracks 
to  wait  for  a  train.  It  was  late,  and  1  stepped  on  the 
track  to  look  down  to  see  if  it  were  coining.  I  heard  my 
father's  voice  behind  me  in  a  sharp  "Arthur,"  and  my 
father  is  the  sort  of  a  man  that  it  does  not  take  people 
very  long,  as  a  rule,  to  find  out  that  what  he  says  he 
means,  and  that  it  has  "got  to  go."  I  had  found  out 
from  past  experiences  that  it  was  wise  for  me  to  look 
pretty  lively  when  Daddy  spoke  to  me  in  that  way.  So 
1  looked  around  and,  if  you  please,  there  was  a  locomo- 
tive coming  at  a  good  speed  just  behind  me.  I  jumped 
aside.  It  was  so  close  that  the  engine  brushed  my  coat  as 
1  jumped.  There  had  been  so  much  roar  and  noise  that 
I  had  not  noticed  the  engine's  approach.  Father  was 
crossing  the  viaduct  on  his  way  to  church  with  mother 
and  saw  my  danger.  Father  was  not  one  of  the  kind 
that  spare  the  rod,  and  I  guess  here  is  pretty  nearly  an 
instance  where  a  child,  who  is  ruled  both  by  love  and 
fear,  can  see  the  advantage  of  thorough  discipline. 


ELIZABETH  ESTELLE  LEAVITT- 

FULLER 

Soprano;  Formerly  of  Boston,  Mass. 

(The  Author's  Mother) 


J.FRANKLIN  FULLER 

Lyric  Tenor  and   Musical  Director 

(The  Author's  Father) 


ARTHUR  P.   PULLER  19 


CHAPTER  III 
Winning  Credits — Assembling  Accoutrements  of  War 

THE  world  has  little  charity  for  one's  failures.  We 
the  success  of  ourselves,  a  friend,  or  an  acquaint- 
are  all  glad,  on  the  other  hand,  to  tell  and  re-tell 
ance.  Those  who  succeed  arc  besieged  by  enthusiastic 
admirers  while  those  who  fail  may  eat  out  their  very 
hearts  with  chagrin  and  regret,  in  utter  loneliness.  Hon- 
est endeavor  is  the  admirable  thing,  however,  and  those 
who  occupy  the  places  of  honor  in  the  public  eye  would 
do  well  to  remember  that  their  very  success  is  based 
upon  gift  from  the  Creator — the  essential  of  health,  of 
normal  mentality,  the  capacity  and  opportunity  to  learn, 
the  power  to  apply  knowledge,  material  advantage,  and 
favorable  circumstances  as  well. 

I  trust,  therefore,  that  no  one  will  accuse  me  of  de- 
siring to  appear  greater  than  those  lights  in  present  and 
past  times  who  have  compelled  the  world  to  acknowl- 
edge their  extraordinary  achievements.  I  simply  desire 
to  have  it  known  by  my  patrons  as  I  journey  on  through 
life,  that  since  early  childhood  I  have  had  an  honest  and 
sincere  desire  to  be  a  man  in  the  noblest  sense  of  the 
word,  and  do  things  the  best  it  might  lie  in  my  power. 
The  following  are  the  simple  facts: 

Although  of  rather  delicate  health,  I  managed  to  keep 
in  school  throughout  boyhood.  For  some  years  past  I 
had  taken  music  lessons,  practicing  after  school  hours. 
I  enjoyed  the  instruction  of  a  number  of  able  teachers, 
as  listed  elsewhere.  Under  the  careful  training  of  Mr. 
William  Smedley,  Choirmaster  of  St.  dames  Church,  both 
in  class  and  private  instruction,  my  voice  had  developed 
wonderfully.  At  weddings,  banquets,  concerts  and  like 
programs,  my  name  occupied  important  place.  As 
"Star"  1  frequently  figured  in  a  number  of  concert  com- 
panies, both  in  Chicago  and  in  smaller  cities  within  a 
radius  of  several   hundred  miles. 

1  was  lean  and  overgrown,  and  being  sedate,  and  my 
conversation  so  sensible.  I  was  mistaken  to  be  many  years 
older  than  I  really  was.  I  entered  many  contests  in  sink- 
ing,  sight-reading,    directorship,   etc.,    ami    never   had    to 


50  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

take  other  than  first  place.  I  became  possessed  of  many 
prizes,  including  a  gold  medal  for  musical  excellence, 
and  was  so  successful  that  I  was  ruled  out  of  contests. 

The  public  school  teacher  often  caught  me  compos- 
ing hymn-tunes  when  I  was  supposed  to  be  learning 
my  Geography  lesson.  I  was  never  vicious,  but  I  was 
;ncorrigible. 

There  is  a  gift  erroneously  called  "absolute  pitch." 
By  this  term  is  meant  an  ability  to  name  any  given  pitch, 
and  state  whether  it  is  in  International,  Concert  or  Phil- 
Harmonic  pitch.  In  reality  the  term  means  the  ability 
to  deliver  each  and  every  tone  sounded,  on  exactly  the 
number  of  vibrations  required  to  give  the  pitch  called 
for — precisely  "true  pitch,"  in  other  words.  However, 
for  convenience  wTe  will  indulge  the  erroneous  concep- 
tion of  the  meaning,  and  state  that  M.  Charles  Gounod, 
and  many  other  great  musicians  had  this  ability.  A  per- 
son thus  gifted  hears  "pitch"  in  everything — even  the 
bark  of  a  dog,  the  rumble  of  a  heavy  wagon,  and  many 
other  apparently  unmusical  noises,  and  can  state  wdiere 
the  tone  is  on  the  piano  key-board  and  in  what  pitch  the 
piano  is  tuned. 

I  am  very  careful  not  to  make  statements  even  in 
ordinary  conversation,  which  I  cannot  prove.  Therefore, 
it  seems  almost  unwise  to  say  that  I  formerly  possessed 
this  ability,  for  I  cannot  prove  it,  by  illustrating  by  ex- 
amples now.  However,  if  M.  Gounod  had  never  heard 
pitch  and  had  never  been  told — "this  is  middle  C,  con- 
cerl  pitch,"  until  he  knewr  it  independently  and  by  the 
action  of  his  own  mind  and  sense,  he  would  never  have 
been  able  to  illustrate,  either.  And  after  he  had  the 
ability,  "which  was  largely  a  matter  of  education,"  had 
he  been  isolated  for  five  years  from  all  definite  pitches, 
as  I  have  been,  and  then  brought  to  hear  relative  musical 
sounds  by  instruments  so  out  of  pitch  that  when  you 
struck  middle  ( ',  yon  were,  in  reality,  sounding  B-flat,  I 
know  that  he  would  be  no  more  accurate  than  I  would 
now  be.  But  at  that  time  I  had  the  ability  to  give  any 
pitch  called  for,  without  pitch-pipe  or  instrument.  So 
when  there  was  a  funeral  or  when  the  choir  went  sere- 
nading, or  on  a  Christmas  Carol  round,  Fuller  was  usually 
trusted  with  sounding  the  pitch. 

One  Sunday  in  the  midst  of  service  the  organ  bel- 
lows gave  out.  This  was  not  discovered  until  the  Rector, 
Dr.    Stone,    had    announced    the    Hymn    and   read   a    few 


A  SHORT  TIMt  BLFORL  THE.  DISASTROUS  FALL 


Our  the  joy  of  present  health  aud  success,  coupled  with  promises 
of  a  brilliant  future. 


22  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

stanzas.  1  waited  a  moment  to  see  if  the  bellows  could  be 
resuscitated,  or  if  some  of  the  men  would  take  the  initia- 
tive, but  no  one  dared,  and  the  organ  remained  dead. 
I  started  the  time  and  the  rest  of  the  choir  took  it  up  and 
we  rendered  the  entire  hymn  without  accompaniment, 
The  congregation  thought  it  was  intentional,  and  said 
such  rendition  should  be  made  more  frequently.  There 
was  great  ado  in  the  choir  room  after  that  service.  Mr. 
Smedley  and  Dr.  Stone  both  made  quite  a  speech  concern- 
ing it.  and  1  was  patted  on  the  back  until  I  felt  I  would 
be  black  and  blue.  I  was  at  once  made  "Leader,"  which 
position  I  had  virtually  possessed  for  some  time  past. 
This  actually  meant  that  I  was  made  assistant  Choir- 
master. In  large  Episcopal  Churches  there  are  two  sep- 
arate choirs— Cantoris  and  Decani.  The  Cantoris  is  usu- 
ally the  secondary  choir,  and  gets  its  name  from  the  fact 
that  the  "cantor" — the  man  who  opens  the  choral  num- 
bers, and  begins  the  Chants  and  certain  anthems,  usually 
sits  on  that  side.  The  principal  soloists  usually  have  place 
on  the  Decani  side,  although  each  choir  has  its  several 
soloists  for  each  voice  part — Soprano,  Alto,  Tenor  and 
Bass.  On  account  of  the  position  of  the  organ  and  other 
local  peculiarities,  this  rule  was  reversed  at  St.  James. 
However,  on  both  sides,  each  principal  soloist  was  virtu- 
ally a  sub-choirmaster,  controlling  those  on  his  side  who 
sang  the  same  part  as  himself.  I  was  honored,  however, 
more  than  by  such  appointment,  for  I  kept  the  attendance 
book  and  attended  to  the  pay-envelopes  for  the  entire 
choir.  Furthermore,  I  not  only  behaved  myself  in  a 
seemly  manner,  but  exercised  extraordinary  discipline 
over  the  other  boys. 

Bear  in  mind  that  I  was  only  fifteen  years  old  at  this 
lime.  My  voice  had  begun  to  "break"  or  change  so  that 
I  was  not  longer  able  to  do  the  most  excellent  grade  of 
solo  work  that  I  had  done  formerly.  But  it  was  at  this 
time  that  Mr.  Smedley  decided  to  resign  at  St.  James, 
where -he  had  been  Choirmaster  for  fourteen  years,  and 
go  to  New  York  so  as  to  be  with  his  children  in  his  latter 
days.  The  entire  parish  mourned  his  departure,  and  Mr. 
Fletcher  Hulet  Wheeler,  the  man  from  St.  Paul,  Minn., 
who  was  to  succeed  Mr.  Smedley,  had  a  hard  time  to  keep 
the  choir  from  disbanding.  Mr.  Smedley  and  many  others 
entreated  me  to  stay  and  so  set  an  example  for  the  rest  of 
the  choir.     My  duties  and  salary  were  increased,  and  I 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  23 

was  given  charge  of  the  Junior  or  Preparatory  Choir, 
which   consisted    of   about    twenty    hoys. 

Just  a  short  time  before  Mr.  Smedley  left  I  again 
received  public  commendation.    As  I  was  Leader  my  seal 

was  nearest  the  congregation.  One  first  Sunday  in  tin' 
month  during  Communion  Service,  a  poor,  withered,  de- 
crepit, little  old  woman  approached  the  Steps  leading  to 
the  chancel.  She  must  have  been  at  least  ninety  years 
old,  and  tottered  pitifully. 

Many  of  the  congregation  had  already  received  but 
as  St.  James  is  the  largest  Church  in  Chicago  (Episco- 
pal), there  were  many  yet  to  come.  Every  person  was 
busy  with  his  own  thoughts  and  prayers,  approaching  the 
Altar  rail  as  was  fit,  with  bowed  head.  So  it  was  not 
surprising  that  no  one  noticed  the  unsuccessful  efforts  of 
the  poor  old  lady  to  mount  the  chancel  steps. 

I  was  always  a  timid,  bashful  sort  of  fellow,  Lacking 
greatly  in  physical  courage.  But  then,  as  now,  I  earn- 
estly hope  and  pray  for  courage  and  grace  to  do  whatso- 
ever I  conceive  to  be  my  duty.  1  will  never  forget  the 
sweet  sense  of  youth  and  strength  thai  flooded  my  whole 
being  at  thai  moment.  I  rose  and  straightened  myself 
thankfully  to  my  full  height  and  went  to  the  old  lady's 
assistance.  I  fairly  carried  her  up  the  steps  and  assisted 
her  to  the  Altar  rail,  and  after  gently  handing  her  to  a 
place,  knelt  reverently  until  she  had  received.  There 
were  teal's  in  many  eyes,  and  as  I  assisted  her  back  to  her 
seat,  many  handkerchiefs  came  into  prominent  use. 

All  of  this  time  I  had  been  attending  public  school, 
getting  up  my  school  work  somehow,  practicing  piano 
some  hours  every  day,  participating  in  concerts  in  one 
capacity  or  another,  as  well  as  keeping  up  attendance  a1 
the  regular  three  rehearsals  per  week  held  at  St.  James. 
H  will  therefore  be  plain  thai  1  had  Little  time  for  play. 
I  was  such  an  over-grown  somebody,  and  was  so  infatu- 
ated with  being  dignified,  thai  it  was  a  difficult  matter  to 
let  down  to  being  just  a  noisy  boy,  even  when  I  did  have 
a  little  leisure.  However,  there  were  some  exceptional 
times.  One  of  these  I  had  great  reason  to  regret.  1 
used  to  play  with  some  boys  a  Little  Larger  than  myself. 
We  often  played  "lag."  and  "  follow-my  deader. "  It 
was  not  uncommon  for  the  most  reckless  boy.  who  usually 
took  the  Lead,  to  climb  telegraph  poles,  up  fire  escapes, 
and  outside  porches  to  the  roofs  of  two  and  three-story 
buildings.     Also  jump    from   the   top   of  one   building  to 


24  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

the  next.  He  usually  began  at  low  wood-sheds,  and 
gradually  took  more  daring  stunts.  Any  boy  who  failed 
to  take  the  pace  was  in  utter  disgrace,  and  was  hooted  at 
asTa  coward  and  fairly  ostracized. 

I  was  never  very  much  enraptured  when  they  talked 
of  starting  that  kind  of  play,  and  tried  to  find  some  ex- 
cuse to  go  home.  But  one  day  I  was  cornered,  and  had  to 
fall  into  line.  The  leader,  Fred  Doobridge,  jumped  from 
l  tie  top  of  one  shed  to  the  next,  He  was  more  robust  than 
I  and  became  more  and  more  reckless.  There  was  one 
place  where  I  was  quite  afraid  to  follow.  He  guyed  me, 
and  I  protested  that  he  was  larger,  but  he  said  I  was 
afraid  to  try  that  little  stunt,  and  was  spoiling  the  game. 
He  noticed  a  plank  at  the  rear  edge  of  the  sloping  roof, 
which  was  about  two  inches  thick  and  the  length  of  the 
shed,  and  was  about  twelve  inches  wide. 

"Here,  Spindle  Legs,"  he  said.  "I  will  stand  on 
this  end  of  the  plank  and  let  it  stick  over  toward  that 
sheil  yon  are  now  on,  and  you  can  land  on  it.  That's  if 
you  ain't  too  big  a  baby  to  try  even  that." 

"All  right,"  I  replied,  "I  won't  be  afraid  to  try 
that." 

So  after  he  had  arranged  the  plank,  I  drew  hack  to 
the  tar  end  of  the  shed  to  get  a  good  start.  When  I  had 
gotten  too  far  toward  the  edge  to  be  able  to  stop,  he 
quickly  stepped  off  the  plank  and  pushed  it  aside.  As  I 
left  tin-  shed  I  was  on,  I  tried  to  get  force  enough  into 
the  last  step  to  carry  me  upon  the  other  roof  as  he  ex- 
pected I  would;  bnl  my  foot  only  landed  where  the  plank 
slanted  away  from  the  roof,  and  the  rotten  shingles  gave 
"way  to  my  weight,  and  my  jump  being  short  anyway,  I 
fell  to  the  ground,  backward,  landing  across  a  broken- 
down  garbage  box.  I  did  not  know  a  thing  for  some 
minutes.  The  boys  were  scared  and  got  down  to  the 
ground  slowly,  fearing  I  was  dead.  The  first  I  knew  was 
an  awful  pain  along  my  spine.  I  could  not  get  my  breath. 
I  became  nearly  black  in  the  face.  It  was  only  twenty 
or  thirty  feet  to  my  father's  door.  When  1  go1  breath 
and  power  to  move  1  staggered  and  crawled  home.  My 
folks  lived  upstairs,  and  I  guess  I  must  have  been  twenty 
minutes  getting  up.  There  was  no  one  at  home,  and  so  I 
crawled  to  my  little  room.  It  was  several  weeks  before 
I  could  go  out  again.  My  back  pained  so  1  could  get 
around  only  with  difficulty. 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  25 

On  another  occasion   I   was  assisting  my  brother-in- 
law  to  re-shingle  the  barn  and  had  a  similar  experience. 

Perhaps  it  will  he  best  to  leave  much  of  the  details 
of  the  development  of  my  affliction  to  another  chapter. 
Returning,  then,  to  the  subject  of  my  unfoldment,  1  will 
continue  by  commenting  that  1  had  a  beautiful  dog  which 
had  been  given  me  when  I  was  about  eight  years  old. 
We  called  her  "Beauty."  She  had  an  unusual  degree  of 
intelligence,  and  was  beloved  of  the  entire  family.  There 
were  many  tough  boys  in  that  neighborhood,  and  rather 
than  play  with  them.  I  preferred  the  company  of  the 
dog.  Accordingly  I  built  wagons,  sleds  and  such  outfits 
in  which  she  figured,  sometimes  as  horse,  and  other  times 
as  passenger.  She  was  my  watchful  defender  as  well  as 
my  playmate.  The  tough  boys  heartily  despised  me, 
ridiculing  me  outrageously  as  being  a  "church  member," 
"Sunday  School  boy,"  "sissy,"  "noisy-screecher,"  and 
so  forth.  They  used  often  to  stone  me,  judging  me  too 
stuck-up  to  play  with  them.  Every  time  they  saw  me 
they  would  bawl  out  "pet  dog,"  or  some  other  sally  of 
foolish  tantalization.  But  it  was  not  safe  for  any  of  them 
to  strike  at  me  when  "Beauty"  was  near  by.  For  al- 
though she  would  run  from  them  when  there  was  a 
crowd,  she  was  not  afraid  to  show  what  her  teeth  were 
for.  in  my   parents'  yard. 

Some  of  these  hoys  obtained  some  poisoned  meat 
and  put  if  where  the  dog  would  eat  it.  During  the  hours 
she  was  suffering,  and  after  all  the  saving  methods  had 
been  employed  apparently  with  no  success.  I  felt  so  badly 
that  I  composed  a  piece  for  piano  solo  which  was  intend- 
ed to  express  my  regret  at  losing  my  old-time  playmate. 
However,  she  recovered,  and   lived   until    I    had  been  down 

several  years. 

Ahout  six  months  after  Mr.  Smedley  left  St.  James, 
and  a  i'cw  months  after  my  dog's  distressing  experience, 
I  resigned  a1  St.  dames  and  took  charge  of  the  Choir  at 
Holy  Nativity  .Mission  Church  in  West  Grand  Avenue. 
We  had  a  choir  of  about    sixteen   voices,  and   I    was  proud 

to  have  my  first  opportunity  to  use  the  knowledge  ac- 
quired Prom  the  instructions  of  Prof.  1'.  C.  Lutkin,  with  a 
pipe  organ.  I  retained  this  position  ahout  a  year  when 
I  resigned  to  take  a  larger  choir  and  organ  at  Onward 
Presbyterian  Church.  1  retained  this  position  eighteen 
months,  resigning  to  take  a  better  paying  position  at  St. 
John's  Mission  Church,  on  Clybourn  Avenue,  Chicago. 


26  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

For  the  same  reason  I  also  resigned  there  and  went 
to  St.  John's  Reformed  Episcopal  Church  on  Langley 
Avenue,  where  there  Avas  a  first-class  new  organ  and  a 
quartette  of  ahle  musicians,  among  whom  was  Cyril  Bruce 
Smith  from  the  American  Conservatory  of  Music,  a  mar- 
velous baritone  who  would  undoubtedly  have  been  one 
of  the  most  famous  singers  in  this  country,  but  for  his 
deficiency  in  courage,  patience  and  staying  power. 

The  last  few  years  I  had  of  course  been  out  of  school 
and  worked  for  the  Cross  Press  and  Sign  Co.,  206  to  210 
Illinois  Street.  I  continued  my  studies  on  piano  and 
pipe  organ  nights  after  work,  and  holding  position  as 
organist  at  some  church  as  detailed  above. 

While  with  the  sign  company  I  had  to  obtain  bills 
of  lading  for  .shipments  made  over  the  various  railroads 
Often  the  clerks  were  very  busy  and  I  had  to  wait  any- 
where from  thirty  minutes  to  an  hour.  I  always  carried 
a  little  music  composition  book  in  my  pocket  and  at  such 
times  I  would  compose.  Sometimes  I  would  catch  a 
musical  thought  while  on  my  way  to  some  place  a  mile 
or  so  from  the  office,  and  I  would  stop  on  a  curbing  and 
write  it  down  and  then  hurry  on  so  as  not  to  be  too  long 
out  on  the  errand  as  to  earn  a  reprimand.  Some  of  my 
best  songs  were  composed  in  this  way,  and  as  they  are 
published  are  substantially  the  same  as  I  originally  wrote 
them.  I  will  not  say  that  I  have  not  revised  them  at  all, 
but  there  have  been  no  material  changes. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

A  Narrow  Escape — A  Change  of  Scene. 

THE  experiences  and  achievements  cited  in  the 
foregoing  came  about  before  I  was  seventeen 
years  old.  I  was  now  to  have  a  change  which 
was  to  affect  my  life  for  years  to  come.  My  "curb- 
stone compositions"  embraced  several  instrumental 
pieces,  including  "Forget-Me-Not,"  "Reverie,"  "Twi- 
light," and  "Etude  in  D  Minor."  The  melody  for  a 
number  of  songs  was  thus  noted  and  worked  out  some 
years  Later.  Among  these  are  "Cherished,"  ("The  Part- 
ing Kiss"),  "Guess  the  Name,"  and  "I'll  Find  You  Out." 
The  fore  part  of  my  setting  of  the  old  hymn,  "Guide  Me, 
0  Thou  Great  Jehovah,"  was  a  production  of  those  days, 
likewise    "As    Pants   the    Wearied   Hart,"   "The    Steers- 


AFTER  A  YEAR'S  STRUGGLE  TO  OVERCOME 
THE  DAMAGE  DONE  BY  THE  FALL 


28  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

man,"  was  also  written  in  those  days  and  the  first  part 
of  "An  Evening  Prayer." 

About  February,  1897,  a  Dr.  Alfred  Bierly,  music 
publisher  and  friend  of  my  father's,  came  to  see  us  and 
talk  business.  He  asked  what  salary  I  was  getting  and 
where  I  was  employed,  and  made  a  better  proposition. 
His  place  of  business  was  in  the  far  section  of  the  fifth 
floor  of  the  Aver  Building,  which  ran  from  215  to  221 
Wabash  Avenue;  in  the  other  section  was  the  Chicago 
Depository  of  the  Methodist  Book  Concern,  which  had 
an  enormous  stock. 

The  main  floor  of  the  building  was  occupied  by  the 
Conover  Piano  Company,  and  by  the  Emerson  Piano 
Company;  the  second  floor  by  the  Chicago  Cottage  Organ 
Company;  the  third,  by  Alfred  Peats  Wall  Paper  Com- 
pany; the  fourth  floor  by  the  National  Music  Company; 
the  "fifth  floor  by  the  Methodist  Book  Concern  and  A. 
Bierly;  the  sixth  floor  by  W.  A.  Olmstead  &  Company, 
photographic  supplies,  and  the  seventh  floor  by  another 
firm  in  the  same  business,  and  by  storage  for  the  piano 
companies. 

The  book  concern's  stock  was  protected  from  the 
art  of  sneak  thieves  by  wire  caging  which  compelled 
people  coming  in  on  the  elevator  to  pass  through  a  long 
wire  passage  to  the  office  before  they  could  get  to  the 
books.  The  stairway  was  just  alongside  the  elevator, 
but  curved  in  such  a  way  that  the  shadows  from  the  sur- 
rounding objects  rendered  it  hardly  noticeable.  There 
was  of  course  a  door  through  the  caging  to  this  stairway 
and  to  use  the  stairs  one  must  pass  through  the  door  just 
opposite  the  office  of  the  book  concern,  and  some  thirty 
feet  from  both  stairway  and  elevator  exits.  As  the  ele- 
vator was  always  running  when  I  came  and  went,  I  had 
never  had  occasion  to  use  the  stairway  and  would  not 
have  known  where  it  was  had  it  not  been  that  Mr.  John 
S.  Fearis,  Dr.  Bierly 's  right  hand  man,  and  I  had  stayed 
late  one  night  to  finish  up  some  work. 

The  building  was  so  long  that  it  would  have  been 
very  dark  had  it  not  been  for  an  immense  skylight  near 
the  middle  One  March  morning  wre  "were  all  startled 
by  a  loud  crackling  noise  followed  by  a  tremendous 
crash,  and  an  awful  roar.  In  the  rear  of  the  Book  Con- 
cern's quarters  was  a  small  parlor  where  committees 
often  met.  1  understood  there  was  a  little  gas,  oil  or  gas- 
oline stove  hack  there  where  the  ladies  sometimes  made 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  29 

a  cup  of  tea.  At  the  firsl  sound  and  cry  of  fire  my  im- 
pression was  that  some  little  accidenl  had  happened  to 
the  tea  party,  as  a  mimber  of  Ladies  had  tnel  there  thai 
morning.  We  all  started  back.  Tin-  idea  in  my  mind 
was  to  assist  in  extinguishing  the  flames,  but  Dr.  Bierly, 
who  was  in  advance  of  us,  turned  back,  white  as  a  sheet, 
crying,  "Fire!  Fire!  Run  for  your  lives — hurry,  if  you 
hope  to  escape!"  The  flames  were  pouring  up  through 
the  skylight,  and  had  already  spread  the  entire  width  of 
the  building. 

At  first  I  could  not  believe  thai  there  was  really 
much  danger,  and  thought  we  would  surely  have  enough 
time,  so  returned  to  my  desk  to  gather  up  my  glasses, 
my  knife  and  some  money  I  had  left  in  the  drawer.  By 
this  time  all  had  rushed  from  the  Book  Concern,  except 
one  man,  who  yelled  vehemently,  "Don*t  stop  for  a  thing 
or  you  will   never  get    out." 

I  had  piled  my  left  arm  full  of  the  entire  contents  of 
the  clothes  rack  including  winter  outer  garments,  a  fat 
music  roll  and  a  lunch  box.  1  started  down  the  elevator 
passage  as  usual,  but  the  same  man  who  had  urged  haste 
before  called  again,  "This  way — elevator  is  not  running." 
We  were  grateful  for  this  warning  because  the  air  began 
to  be  hot  and  the  thunderous  reports  of  chemical  ex- 
plosions and  of  heavy  timbers  falling,  together  with  the 
shrieks  of  the  fear-crazed  people  who  wi^ve  fighting  to 
get  out,  were  appalling.  The  swift  traveling  flames  fur- 
ther proved  that  we  had  not  a  second  to  lose.  To  have 
gone  to  tbe  elevator  door  would  possibly  have  been  to 
make  escape  impossible. 

The  stairway  was  so  full  of  a  madly  striving  mass 
of  humanity  that  there  was  no  such  thing  as  hurrying; 
every  person  had  to  lake  his  turn.  Some  from  behind 
tried  to  leap  over  the  crowd  and  so  jumped  on  top  of  the 
heads  of  the  others,  the  majority  <>f  whom  were  girls. 
Many  fell,  and  I  do  not  know  whether  they  ever  gol  up 
again.  When  we  passed  the  third  floor  the  heal  was  so 
intense  and  the  smoke  so  dense  thai  it  seemed  impossible 
to  breathe.  As  before  stated,  I  did  not  know  the  way. 
but  fortunately  I  had  grasped  with  my  righl  hand  the 
bannister,  which  1  followed  down  through  the  blackness 
amid  the  shrieks  and  moans  of  thai  battling  erowd.  I 
stumbled  repeatedly,  but  the  bannister  enabled  me  to 
keep  my  feet.  1  remember  how  well  I  realized  my  ex- 
haustion  as  we   reached   the  third   floor,  and    I    remember 


30  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

how  my  knees  almost  gave  way  under  me ;  my  heart 
refused  to  beat  and  I  could  not  breathe.  I  was  dizzy  and 
fainting,  and  I  remember  that  the  thought  came  to  me, 
"Arthur  boy,  you  can  only  make  about  three  more  steps, 
one — two — and  if  you  don't  get  breath  by  the  third  it's 
all  off."  But,  thanks  be  to  God,  that  third  step  took  me 
around  a  bend,  and  a  mighty  draught  of  cold,  fresh  air 
from  the  street  swept  up  as  through  a  flue.  It  revived 
me,  and  I  pressed  on.  There  were  only  two  people  who 
got  out  alive  after  I  did. 

At  the  threshhold  of  the  door  lay  a  man's  body  in  a 
pool  of  blood,  the  head  strained  back,  mouth  open,  glassy 
eyes  staring,  and  the  face  smoke-smutted.  Even  the  hair 
was  singed.  I  had  to  step  over  this  gruesome  object  to 
get  away  from  the  building.  I  afterwards  learned  that 
he  was  the  cashier  on  the  floor  just  above  where  I  worked, 
and  had  stopped  just  long  enough  to  shut  the  safe  door. 

It  seemed  that  at  the  third  floor  the  flames  broke 
through  into  the  stairway  immediately  after  we  passed. 
The  heat  of  the  air  burned  my  nose,  face  and  ears  slight- 
ly, and  I  spit  black  stuff  from  my  lungs  for  several  days 
afterwards. 

The  young  lady  who  was  Dr.  Bierly's  secretary,  had 
stopped  to  get  some  money  which  she  had  left  in  her 
desk  in  an  inner  office.  Although  I  called  to  her  to  hurry, 
I  did  not  see  her  until  I  turned  around  upon  reaching 
the  street.  She  was  only  a  few  seconds  behind,  but  was 
quite  badly  burned  from  the  heat  of  the  air.  A  man  came 
shortly  behind  her  from  the  seventh  floor,  and  when  he 
reached  the  third  floor  the  stairway  was  a  mass  of  flames. 
He  wns  running,  however,  and  decided  to  chance  reach- 
ing or  lighting  on  something  solid  down  below,  so  he 
jumped  through  ;i  solid  mass  of  flame,  and  barring  being 
singed,  escaped  unhurt.  He  had  not  been  ten  feet  ahead 
of  the  poor  cashier  whose  body  lay  on  the  sidewalk  in 
front  of  the  exit.  But  the  cashier  seemed  to  think  that 
his  companion  had  jumped  into  the  midst  of  a  furnace, 
and  had  turned  back,  retracing  his  steps  to  the  office  he 
had  just  left.  He  stayed  at  the  window  as  long  as  there 
was  any  hope  of  rescue  and  then  jumped  to  his  death. 

If  I  could  say  just  how  few  minutes  from  the  time 
the  first  little  puff  of  smoke  was  seen  on  the  third  floor 
until  Hie  building  was  a  mass  of  ruins,  it  would  not  be 
believed. 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  31 

The  fire  department  was  at  a  great  disadvantage 
owing  to  elevated  structures  and  telephone  wires. 

Just  a  few  seconds  alter  I  got  out,  I  turned  and 
looked  up.  All  along  the  windows  I  could  see  the  fright- 
ened ("aces  of  human  beings  who  had  been  cut  off  from  the 
stairway.  They  were  prevented  from  getting  out  be- 
cause the  elevator  ropes  were  too  hot  for  the  men  to  be 
able  to  use  them.  The  flames  had  consumed  the  stairway. 
The  look  on  the  faces  of  the  doomed  people,  I  can  never 
forget.  It  seemed  as  though  the  front  of  the  building 
was  fairly  alive  with  men  dangling  from  the  window 
sills  or  from  the  signs  which  hung  under  them.  I  saw 
many  people  jump — jump  to  broken  legs  on  the  hard 
street  below,  and  some  to  death.  I  saw  one  man  hang 
at  a  window  sill  waiting,  hoping  that  a  ladder  would  be 
gotten  to  him,  but  none  came.  I  saw  the  flames  lick  his 
hands  until  they  were  burned  away.  lie  dropped  to  his 
death.  I  saw  another  man  who  started  at  the  far  side  of 
the  building,  climb  out  upon  the  window  sill.  The  flames 
pursued  him.  He  crawled  to  the  next  and  rested  there, 
as  he  was  exhausted  from  the  flight  through  the  burning 
building.  The  flames  presently  came  to  him  there,  so 
he  moved  to  the  next  window,  and  so  on.  At  the  very 
last  he  hit  upon  a  novel  means  of  escape.  On  the  next 
building  there  was  a  sign  about  on  a  level  with  the  one 
on  which  he  had  been  crawling.  He  let  himself  down 
once  more,  hanging  from  the  sign.  The  two  buildings 
touched  so  that  it  was  not  hard  to  reach  over  to  the  sign 
on  the  next  building.  He  then  started  swinging  to  and 
fro  as  he  had  done  at  the  other  windows,  until  he  could 
swing  his  body  over  the  sign,  finally  pulling  himself 
upon  the  window  sill,  kicking  in  the  glass,  made  his  w,i\ 
to  the  stairway  and  to  sa fety. 

The  countless  explosions  were  awful  to  hear.  Their 
booms  had  begun  while  I  was  still  in  Hie  building.  They 
were  partly  caused  by  the  explosion  of  photographic 
chemicals  on  the  sixth  and  seventh  floors,  and  partly  by 
the  falling  of  seven  stories  of  fine,  expensive  pianos. 

Huildings  were  blistered  and  set  on  fire  for  a  greal 
distance  around.  Window  glass  was  cracked  or  melted. 
The  awfulness  of  this  sighl  baffles  description.  Suffice 
it  then  to  say  that  there  were  eighteen  people  burned  or 
killed  in  the  fire. 

Talk  about  shock  to  the  nervous  system!  A  man 
really  oughl  to  go  through  with  such  an  experience  if  he 


32  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

fancies  he  is  so  sturdy,  brave  or  well  poised  as  not  to 
mind  it.  For  months  afterward  I  would  waken  in  the 
night  experiencing  again  the  awful  struggle  through  the 
smoke-choked  stairway,  hearing  the  roar  of  that  terrible 
fire-demon,  hearing  the  crash  of  falling  walls,  the 
screams  of  the  dying,  the  shouts  of  the  would-be  rescu- 
ers. It  seems  to  me  that  it  was  said  only  seven  minutes 
elapsed  from  the  first  cry  of  fire  until  the  walls  caved  in. 

Times  were  hard.  There  were  a  hundred  men  for 
every  position.  I  had  been  keeping  up  my  night  study 
on  piano  and  pipe  organ,  and  it  had  taken  every  cent  I 
earned  at  my  day  work  to  meet  unavoidable  expenses. 
I  dare  not  be  idle.  I  tried  hard  for  a  position,  but  I 
had  had  little  experience  and  was  sorely  handicapped  by 
poor  health  and  poorer  eyes. 

After  a  few  weeks  I  secured  a  position  with  Sears, 
Roebuck  &  Co.,  at  a  disgracefully  low  salary.  My  phy- 
sical condition  was  such  that  I  was  hardly  fit  for  any 
sort  of  employment,  so  that  I  had  to  ask  for  some  conces- 
sions— of  using  the  elevator  instead  of  the  stairs,  for  in- 
stance. 

When  far  up  in  buildings,  away  from  places  afford- 
ing easy  exit,  I  would  nearly  faint  when  I  heard  any 
unusual  noise,  for  it  all  seemed  painfully  like  that  which 
had  been  the  knell  of  many  a  soul,  and  so  nearly  mine. 

Through  some  of  my  instructors,  I  learned  of  a  va- 
cancy at  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  and  the  Cathedral  Choir 
School,  Fond  du  Lac,  "Wis.  I  applied  for  the  position 
and  was  accepted.  The  position  was  a  peculiarly  diffi- 
cult one,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  Bishop  desired  that 
all  the  clergy  have  equal  authority,  and  work  along  as  a 
happy  family. 

All  men  cannot  have  the  same  tastes,  nor  exactly 
the  same  ideas  as  to  propriety  where  there  is  so  much 
occasion  for  opinion.  But  it  was  said  I  did  a  work  which 
no  other  man  who  had  ever  held  that  position  had  ever 
succeeded  in  doing.  There  was  little  friction,  practically 
no  irritation,  and  everything  went  on  smoothly  and 
creditably.  The  boys  loved  me,  the  congregation  re- 
spected and  admired  me,  and  the  clergy  rejoiced  in  hav- 
ing a  man  fit  for  the  work  in  every  sense. 

The  Cathedral  would  accommodate  ],500  or  perhaps 
2,000  persons.  On  festival  occasions  I  had  a  choir  of 
about  one  hundred  voices,  an  orchestra  of  sixteen  pieces, 
played  the  pipe  organ  and   directed   both   choir  and  or- 


ARTHUR  FRANKLIN  FULLER 
Choirmaster  and  Organist  at  St.  Paul's  Cathedral 
Fond  du  Lac,  Wis. 
1898-99 


34  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

chestra.  We  rendered  music  by  the  best  authors,  includ- 
ing masses  and  anthems  by  Gounod,  Mozart,  Tours, 
Stainer,  Eyre.  Gaul,  etc. 

However,  the  work  I  did  there  was  really  too  much 
for  one  man  to  do.  They  never  had  a  man  to  do  it  be- 
fore me,  nor  have  they  had  one  since. 

About  the  middle  of  the  year  the  classical  master, 
John  Richard  Ambrose,  was  taken  with  appendicitis, 
which  caused  a  few  weeks'  illness  and  presently  his 
death.  This  was  in  turn  followed  by  the  warden  in 
charge,  Rev.  James  Martin  Raker,  becoming  afflicted  with 
the  same  difficulty.  These  things  threw  considerable 
extra  work  upon  me,  and  after  the  advent  of  a  new  mas- 
ter, there  were  still  many  extra  duties  for  me  to  attend 
to  until  he  got  fairly  into  the  harness. 

I  was  also  dormitory  master;  that  is  to  say,  had 
charge  of  the  boys  through  the  night,  and  people  who 
know  what  a  homesick  boy  is,  will  know  that  I  had  some 
problems  to  solve  along  the  comforting  line. 

At  the  end  of  the  year  I  was  in  a  deplorable  state  of 
health.  I  resigned.  I  had  decided  to  take  a  position 
open  to  me  at  Kingston,  N.  Y.  I  trusted  that  the  change 
would  benefit  me,  and  the  work  there  promised  to  be 
much  lighter. 

On  my  way  to  Kingston,  which,  by  the  way,  is  on  a 
plateau  in  the  Catskill  mountains,  I  stopped  to  visit  my 
parents  in  Chicago.  "While  there  I  made  it  a  point  to 
call  on  my  old  friend  and  medical  adviser,  Dr.  Auld. 
This  good  man  said:  ' ' I  am  sorry  to  see  you  take  a  new 
position.  I  am  sorry  you  are  not  situated  so  that  you 
could  get  out  in  the  country  and  rest  and  build  up  for  a 
few  years.  I  apprehend  that  you  will  look  back  to  this 
day  and  hour  and  see  thai  my  words  are  not  idle.  I  fear 
for  you.  But  take  the  best  care  of  yourself  you  can.  and 
perhaps  you  will  come  out  all  right." 

I  believed  in  my  youth  and  even  had  I  had  oppor- 
tunity to  go  into  the  country  and  get  away  from  ner- 
vous work  as  he  said,  I  should  perhaps  have  hesitated  to 
take  advantage  of  it,  looking  upon  it  as  a  waste  of  time. 
However,  I  had  no  such  opportunity.  I  had  to  work,  and 
that  position  in  Kingston  seemed  unlikely  to  tax  me 
very  much. 

It  appears  that  the  Choirmasters  they  had  previous 
to  my  arrival  at  St.  John's,  Kingston,  were  men  who 
knew  little   of  boys'  voices   or  boy  nature.     Under   my 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLKIl  35 

care  there  was  such  a  change  for  the  better  shortly  after 
I  took  hold,  that  the  Rector  of  Holy  Cross  Chinch  came 
to  see  me  to  try  to  induce  me  to  take  charge  of  his 
choir.  After  much  persuasion  I  consented,  and  soon  1 
was  "going  it"  as  hard  as  before. 

At  St.  John's  the  evening  service  was  not  well  at- 
tended, so  the  Rector  (Rev.  0.  Applegate,  Jr.),  asked  un- 
to give  organ  recitals  every  Sunday  evening  to  draw  the 
people  to  service.  Jn  consequence  I  soon  began  a  scries 
of  recitals.  I  gave  from  five  to  eight  different  numbers 
each  Sunday.  For  this  use  1  composed  a  number  of 
organ  solos  which  I  presume  will  never  be  published  un- 
less I  get  well  and  get  able  to  return  to  my  former  pro- 
fession. 

Only  a  few  years  previous,  my  people  had  said  when 
T  improvised:  "For  goodness  sake,  either  play  some- 
thing, or  get  away  from  the  piano."  It  was  sweet  then 
to  me  to  have  such  compliments  lavished  upon  me  as  I 
received  by  the  best  musicians  in  the  city  of  Kingston. 
Miss  MacCauley,  a  maiden  lady  of  sixty-five,  had  been 
organist  of  St.  John's  for  twenty-five  years,  ten  years 
before  1  took  the  bench.  She  had  drawn  the  specifica- 
tion for  the  very  organ  I  played  there.  She  listened  with 
evident  delight  to  my  work  and  said  she  had  but  to  close 
her  eyes  and  then  it  sounded  to  her  as  if  she  were  listen- 
ing to  a  great  orchestra  instead  of  a  pipe  organ.  A  Miss 
Ruliffson,  whose  father  had  been  a  court  musician  to  the 
Kaiser  and  who  attended  the  great  concerts  held  every 
season  in  New  York  City,  said  she  had  not  heard  organ 
work  to  equal  mine  in  this  country,  and  that  the  listening 
took  her  back  to  the  former  years  when  the  Musical  Fes- 
tivals were  in  progress,  under  the  patronage  of  the 
wealthiest  people  of  a   great  musical   country. 

While  at    the  Cathedral    I    had   composed   many   pre 
hides  and  postludes,  a  number  of  Kyries,  and  a  few  trios 
for  female  voices.    I  wrote  no  songs  thai  year,  nor  while 
at  Kingston,  largely  on  account  of  my  poor  eyes. 

On  New  Year's  night  I  gave  an  especially  heavy  pro- 
gram, and  the  last  number  took  every  atom  of  strength 
I  had.  At  its  conclusion  T  found  myself  unable  to  leave 
the  organ  loft. 


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ARTHUR   F.   FULLFU  37 


CHAPTER  V. 
War  Declared. 

AFTER  the  congregation  had  Lefl  the  Church  th*e 
Sexton  came  up  to  the  organ  Loft,  suspecting 
that  something  was  wrong.  I  explained  the  pre- 
dicament I  was  in,  and  he  and  a  comrade  helped  me  to 
my  room.  The  pains  around  my  heart  were  intense.  I 
was  so  weak  and  out  of  breath  it  was  very  difficult  to 
speak.  1  did  not  sleep  at  all  that  night.  In  the  morning 
a  pain  developed  just  above  the  umbilicus.  It  seemed  to 
go  straight  through  to  the  spine.  It  increased  in  severity 
every  hour.  1  sent  for  a  doctor.  He  seemed  to  think  it 
merely  a  ease  of  acute  indigestion  and  otherwise  showed 
that  he  was  in  the  dark  as  to  the  ease.  I>y  that  time  my 
heart  was  more  steady,  but  was  getting  faster  hourly. 

The  next  day  my  heart  was  still  faster,  and  the  fever 
went  higher.  My  head  ached  dreadfully  and  I  fell  as 
one  feels  when  in  the  grasp  of  a  strong  attack  of  la 
grippe.  I  sent  for  another  doctor,  lie  asked  some  (pies- 
lions  and  said  I  had  malaria  and  nervous  prostration. 
At  first  he  came  several  times  each  day.  hut  as  time  went 
on,  the  frequency  of  his  visits  lessened.  I  answered  his 
questions  briefly.  After  a  time  I  learned  to  anticipate  his 
questions  and  told  the  tale  at  once. 

Il  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty  that  I  managed  to 
effect  anything  Like  convalescence.  There  is  an  old-time 
expression  which  ahout  sums  up  the  situation:  "My 
sore  thumb  doesn't  hurt  you  at  all."  There  are  many 
sorts  of  nervous  and  menial  diseases.  A  man  who  has 
never  had  experience  in  his  own  flesh  cannot  realize  what 
the  other  fellow's  state  is.  Too  often  we  allow  the  other 
fellow  to  do  our  thinking  for  us.  I  used  to.  Il  really 
took  a  very  long  time  for  me  to  comprehend  thai  it  is 
besl  to  know  something  for  one's  self,  and  compel  the 
other  fellow  to  respect  your  knowledge  and  judgmenl  as 
he  \\ould  have  you  how  to  his.  The  besl  policy  is  to 
bestow  only  as  much  consideration  as  you  receive. 

By  the  time  two  or  three  months  had  rolled  by,  I 
was  able  to  walk  three  or  four  blocks  per  day  and  could 
sit  up  four  or  five  hours.  I  could  not  understand  why  T 
did    not    gain    strength.      In    full    appreciation    of   what 


38  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

health  and  vigor  meant  with  regard  to  my  present  use- 
fulness and  future  success,  I  asked  the  doctor  why.  His 
answers  were  elusive,  disgustingly  unsatisfactory.  His 
inability  to  control  flagging  functions,  brought  me  a  dis- 
tressing impression  of  the  limitations  of  medical  science. 
The  word  "tooth-ache"  does  not  mean  very  much  when 
happened  onto  in  the  spelling  book  or  in  a  stranger's  ex- 
perience, but  when  that  "tooth-ache"  is  in  one's  own 
mouth,  it  is  right  comprehensible  then.  There  is  a  term 
"nervous  dyspepsia."  It  probably  does  not  mean  much 
to  one  whose  digestion  is  good.  But  a  little  experience 
will  prove  to  any  fair  minded  individual  that  it  is  serious 
enough,  distressing  enough. 

The  doctor  advised  careful  mastication.  Accord- 
ingly I  spent  much  time  attending  to  insalivation  of  food. 
Even  liquids  received  careful  attention.  Often  I  spent 
as  long  as  two  hours  and  forty-five  minutes  ingesting  a 
meal  that  an  ordinarily  busy  man  would  consume  in  ten 
minutes.  Notwithstanding  I  had  sour,  acid  stomach, 
acrid  eructations,  re-gurgitation  of  food,  burning  sensa- 
tion in  stomach  and  intestines  and  great  flatulence.  For 
years  I  had  been  troubled  more  or  less  with  insomnia,  but 
in  the  days  referred  to,  even  when  I  might  have  slept  so 
far  as  my  nervous  state  was  concerned,  the  pressure  of 
gas  around  my  heart  was  so  great  that  I  had  to  remain 
awake  to  belch  it  off,  or  I  would  perhaps  have  crossed  the 
river. 

I  resumed  work  as  soon  as  I  was  able  to  walk  from 
my  room  to  St.  John's  Church  twice  a  week — once  for  re- 
hearsal and  again  on  Sunday  for  services.  Everything 
else  was  dropped — the  Choirmaster  at  Holy  Cross  and 
the  few  pupils  that  had  succeeded  in  persuading  me  to 
give  them  time. 

In  dealing  with  physicians,  when  I  saw  that  one  was 
not  helping  me.  if  I  learned  of  another  that  I  might 
hope  would  be  better  able  to  handle  my  case,  meet  my 
needs,  I  simply  quit  the  former  adviser  and  took  up  with 
the  one  I  selected  to  be  his  successor. 

It  seems  to  me  cruel  to  say  to  a  man,  "Your  work 
has  been  extremely  unsatisfactory.  You  have  failed 
utterly  to  do  that  which  I  fully  expected  of  you."  I 
never  had  "sand"  enough  to  do  it.  If  a  man's  work  was 
unsatisfactory,  I  found  a  nice,  gentle  way  of  letting  him 
out.  so  that  we  parted  the  best  of  friends  and  with  no 
irritation  or  bad  feelings. 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  39 

One  of  my  pupils  was  a  beautiful  girl  named  Eor- 
tenee  Sahler.  Ber  uncle  was  the  founder  and  bead  pro- 
fessor at  the  (J.  <>.  Sahler  Sanitarium  for  Nervous  and 
Mental  Diseases.  She  told  me  that  he  had  patients  from 
all  parts  of  the  United  States  and  described  many  ap- 
parently wonderful  cures.  Accordingly  when  1  became 
dissatisfied  with  Dr.  Loughran,  I  went  to  Sahler's  place. 
It  developed  that  he  had  a  sanitarium  where  he  admin- 
istered much  Suggestive  Therapeutics  and  a  little  medi- 
cine when  it  was  needed.  He  gave  me  both  very  strong. 
He  might  as  well  have  suggested  to  a  telegraph  pole  as 
to  my  nerve  centers  or  subconscious  mind,  for  all  the 
benefit  the  performance  was  to  my  functional  processes. 

In  about  six  weeks  or  less  this  good  man's  treat- 
ments had  succeeded  (?)  to  such  an  extent  that  1  was 
down  in  bed  again. 

There  was  a  "High-potency"  Homeopath  just  across 
the  street  from  where  1  was  rooming  at  that  time.  Now 
I  did  not  have  any  more  idea  what  a  "High-potency 
Homeopath'3  was.  any  more  than  a  snail  would  have 
about  making  doughnuts.  Bui  it  sounded  good.  I 
fumbled  it  over  in  my  mind.  "High-potency."  Must 
mean  •much  power."  Anyway,  I  called  the  good  Dr. 
Harpy  C.  Connelly.  Undoubtedly  he  was  good  at  his 
business.  He  told  me  a  lot  of  funny  stories,  and  inci- 
dentally explained  what  "high-potency"  was.  I  was 
quite  young  then.  All  1  could  answer  was  an  awe-filled 
"Oh!"  At  any  rate  this  good  man  failed  to  get  me  on 
my  feet,  so  1  went  to  Chicago. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  some  of  my  readers  to  know, 
that  Homeopathy  was  introduced  by  Dr.  Hahniman, 
early  in  the  nineteenth  century.  It  was  buill  upon  the 
theory  that  "like  cures  like."  Men  called  "Provers" 
took  a  certain  drug,  such  as  Belladonna,  strychnine,  etc., 
in  minute  doses  for  a  long  time— as  long  as  they  could 
endure  to  do  so.  Many  a  man  gave  his  life  to  such  ex- 
periments. Prisoners  condemned  to  death  sometimes  con- 
sented to  take  a  drug  for  the  benefit  of  science. 

Only  men  were  used  who  were  in  perfed  physical 
condition.  They  reported  daily,  the  symptoms  and  sen- 
sations they  experienced  from  the  taking  of  the  drug. 
These  were  recorded  and  after  a  time  it  was  definitely 
proven  what  were  the  symptoms  common  to  each  drug. 
Therefore  when  a  patient  complains  of  certain  symptoms, 
the   Homeopath   gives   him    the   drug   which    produces   such 


40  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

symptoms.  The  dose  is  minute.  Only  one  remedy  is 
given  at  a  time  as  a  rule.  Sometimes  several  are  given, 
but  never  with  the  extravagance  practiced  by  the  Allo- 
paths. Homeopaths  refer  to  the  ways  of  the  Allopath  as 
"shot-gun  methods." 

The  Homeopath  also  argues  that  a  better  medicinal 
action  is  obtained  from  the  minute  dose,  oft  repeated, 
cumulative  action  establishing  a  new  diathesis.  The  high- 
potency  Homeopath  also  reasons,  that  since  a  minute 
portion  of  pure  drug  gives  benefit,  its  dilution  or  atten- 
uation must  increase  its  efficacy. 

For  instance,  one  part  of  a  drug  is  taken  and  mixed 
with  nine  parts  of  sugar  of  milk  or  alcohol,  depending  of 
course  upon  whether  solution  or  tablet  is  desired.  In 
the  latter  case,  these  are  ground  in  triturating  machin- 
ery made  especially  for  the  purpose,  for  several  hours. 
When  finished,  this  preparation  is  called  the  first  tritura- 
tion. One  part  of  this  mixture  is  then  taken  and  ground 
with  nine  more  parts  of  the  sugar  of  milk  for  the  re- 
quired time.  This  is  called  the  second  trituration,  and  so 
on  as  high  as  the  doctor  deems  necessary  to  meet  his 
requirements. 

A  grain  of  salt  which  can  scarcely  be  tasted  contains 
millions  upon  millions  of  atoms  which  the  human  eye 
cannot  discern.  Any  object  to  be  perceptible  to  our  dull 
senses  must  be  of  such  bulk  that  it  contains  trillions  of 
atoms.  An  adult  eats  a  pound  of  food  to  gain  a  few 
grains  of  proteid.  It  would  seem  then,  that  it  is  not  the 
size  of  the  dose,  the  quantity  of  the  medicine  taken,  that 
benefits,  but  the  use  nature  may  be  able  to  make  of  it. 

My  people  were  apparently  very  glad  to  see  me. 
The  long  ride  (I  could  not  afford  a  sleeper)  had  taken 
what  little  strength  I  had,  and  for  some  weeks  I  was  not 
even  able  to  sit  up  as  I  had  been  doing.  Why  not? 
Continued  weakness,  heart  condition,  indigestion,  mal- 
nutrition, pain  in  the  spine,  etc.  Bu1  lei  us  press  on. 
More  of  these  things  later. 

My  Uncle  George  was  in  the  grocery  business  in  a 
little  town  of  5,000 — Savanna.  111.  It  was  more  quiet 
there,  so  on  his  argent  invitation,  I  decided  to  visit  him 
a  while.  I  went  to  see  Dr.  Auld  again  and  was  taking 
medicines  prescribed  by  him — a  pancreatinized  emulsion 
of  mil  oils  and  an  additional  prescription  for  my  intes- 
tinal difficulties,  also  static  electricity.  His  treatment 
was  good,  but  nature  had  been  too  profoundly  exhausted 


A.RTHUR    F.    FFLLFR  41 

to  readily  respond  to  any  treatment.     Bui  again  I  antici- 
pate. 

I  went  to  my  good  Cnclc's  ;il  Savanna.  I  consented 
to  be  examined  by  the  < '.  M.  &  St.  P.  R.  R.  Head  Sur- 
geon, who  lived  a)  thai  place — Dr.  Johnson.  His  pre- 
scriptions were,  "Sunshine,  electricity  from  mother 
earth,  little  strolls  barefooted,  in  the  early  morning  dew, 
freedom  from  work  and  worry,  and  an  anti-acid  for  the 
digestive  trouble — hut   no  tonic  or  stimulant    medicines."' 

I  followed  his  advices  to  the  letter,  hut  after  sev- 
eral months  1  could  reporl  only  slighl  improvement.  I 
could  only  walk  about  two  blocks  per  day  and  si1  up 
about  ten  hours.  Dr.  Johnson  heard  my  report  with 
disappointment  and  chagrin.  '"Why  cannot  you  walk 
more  than  two  blocks  each  day?*'  he  asked.  J  replied, 
"Because  to  do  so  increases  heart  pains,  brings  hearl 
storms,  makes  me  out  of  breath,  prostrates  me."  Bu1 
this  he  heard  without  comprehension.  "I  advise  you  to 
take  one  of  these  strychnine  tablets  as  often  as  necessary 
to  keep  your  heart  going  and  behaving  as  it  should.  I 
advise  you  to  take  a  longer  walk  every  few  days  and 
your  strength   will   increase." 

\)v.  Johnson  was  sincere  in  his  opinion.  I  tried  his 
plan.  lie  was  mistaken.  The  results  were  pretty  ser- 
ious. AVho  had  to  bear  it?  The  doctor?  No.  The  poor 
fool  that  had  not  yet  had  it  pounded  into  him  that  he 
must  do  his  own  thinking,  have  his  own  judgment,  trust 
himself. 

Presently  old  conditions  began  to  develop  again. 
The  doctor  said  ••.Malaria.'"  Accordingly  I  saw  that  the 
little  eity  on  the  river  had  its  faults  also,  and  decided  to 
return  to  Chicago.  1  had  now  spent  all  I  had  out  of  my 
savings  previous  to  my  first  long  period  of  inability  to 
retain  a  wage-  earning  position.  My  father's  health  was 
so  poor  it  seemed  a  shame  indeed  that  I  should  burden 
him  in  his  weakness.  And  yet  in  my  desperation  I  knew 
there  was  nothing  else  I  could  do. 

1  took  quinine  and  strychnine  ami  hoped  to  improve. 
Bui  1  became  continually  worse.  My  digestion  became 
so  bad  1  could  eat  only  baby  foods.  My  good  sister 
Blanche  insisted  upon  calling  Dr.  Sharp.  After  a  few- 
months'  treatment,  without  benefit.  Dr.  Graves  was  called 
in  for  consultation.  He  suggested  that  if  1  were  sure  I 
had  not  forgotten  how  to  walk  that  1  should  try.  I  said 
I  had  no  doubts  on  the  subject.     The  doctor  said.  "Show 


4  2  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

me."  I  did  so.  The  result  was  the  development  of  an 
organic  lesion  and  a  peculiar  roll  to  the  heart's  action. 
I  had  only  taken  three  steps  from  my  bed.  If  I  had 
taken  a  few  more  there  would  undoubtedly  have  been  a 
funeral — and  the  doctor  would  not  have  been  chief  mourn- 
er. Fortunately  this  valvular  lesion  spontaneously  sub- 
sided in  a  few  days.  But  it  was  presently  not  hard  to 
see  that  the  damage  was  more  than  temporary,  and  I  had 
experiences  which  were  not  as  pleasant  as  were  those  of 
the  Doctor  in  accepting  the  fee  for  his  fool  advice. 

It  had  been  years  since  I  had  been  able  to  use  my 
eyes  for  reading.  So  at  this  time  the  hours  dragged 
heavily.  It  was  seldom  I  had  anyone  to  read  to  me. 
But  when  I  had,  my  nervous  state  was  such  that  I  could 
not  bear  to  hear  any  story  that  had  a  reference  to  dis- 
appointment, excitement,  danger,  or  the  like.  And  yet 
if  I  laughed,  I  was  in  mortal  danger  of  my  life.  Why? 
Heart  so  weak  that  it  could  not  bear  any  strain.  I  could 
not  turn  over  in  bed,  nor  could  I  be  turned.  I  could  not 
talk  to  the  few  friends  who  still  remembered  me  enough 
to  care  to  call. 

But  sometimes  I  made  exceptions  and  did  dare  to 
talk  a  little,  trusting  that  I  was  stronger.  But  since 
that  walking  episode,  things  had  been  worse  for  me  than 
before.  On  one  occasion  in  particular  I  had  talked  a 
little  in  the  evening.  At  bed  time  (sleep  time),  I  felt 
very  wakeful  and  peculiar.  I  strove  to  shake  off  the 
alarming  sense  that  crept  over  me.  Presently  I  dozed 
a  bit,  but  was  soon  disturbed  by  a  sense  of  falling. 
Thinking  it  was  a  dream,  I  aroused  myself  but  instead 
of  its  subsiding,  the  sensation  of  falling  became  more 
real.     I  strove  to  speak  but  was  unable  to  articulate. 

But  finally  1  succeeded  in  faintly  calling — " Father ! " 
Mure  from  the  tone  than  from  the  loudness  of  it,  he  came 
rushing  to  my  room.  For  that  once  at  least  I  was  glad 
the  walls  were  thin  and  his  room  just  next  to  mine.  He 
broughl  ;i  light,  but  still  things  were  black  to  me.  I  felt 
as  if  I  were  rapidly  being  whirled  around  in  the  starry 
sky  of  night,  and  then  dropped,  down.  down.  down,  into 
endless  depths  of  blackness.  1  kept  striving  to  see  the 
li<rlit  and  hold  my  flittering  consciousness — to  feel  my 
father's  hand  clasping  my  own,  in  an  agony  of  pity. 
Presently  this  feeling  subsided  somewhat,  but  it  returned 
every  time  I  closed  my  eyes. 


AltTHUR   F.   FULLER  43 

On  the  morrow  Dr.  Auld  was  senl  for.  The  uighl 
had  been  so  long  and  terrible— I  could  hardly  wait  until 
day — until  such  time  as  I  could  expect  to  find  someone 
to  go  and  phone  for  him.  He  came  and  comforted  me 
by  sympathetic  utterances,  prescribing  caffeine,  nitro- 
glycerine and  large  doses  of  strychnine.  However,  these 
medicines  seemed  to  have  very  little  effect.  It  seemed 
well  nigh  impossible  to  keep  the  ehill  of  death  from 
creeping  upon  me.  I  could  sleep  but  little  and  that  little 
in  "cat-naps."  Every  time  I  fell  into  a  doze,  I  would 
sweat  profusely,  soaking  my  night-shirt,  the  linen,  and 
even  the  matt  cess  and  bedding.  On  the  other  hand,  I 
was  so  cold  that  even  the  presence  of  three  hot  flatirons 
and  two  gallon  hot  water  bags  failed  to  keep  me  com- 
fortable in  this  respect. 

Usually  I  awoke  about  five  times  each  night.  Each 
time  I  wished  with  all  my  soul  that  it  were  day.  At 
such  times  I  used  to  like  to  know  the  time.  There  was 
a  light  left  turned  low  in  the  next  room.  Its  rays  crepl 
through  the  open  door,  so  I  could  usually  make  out  the 
time,  t  therefore  kept  my  watch  on  a  chair  beside  the 
bed.  But  when  1  wakened  and  reached  out  for  it  my 
hand  would  wander  around  uncontrollably  for  some 
seconds  before  I  could  steer  to  the  watch  and  pick  it  up. 
In  fact,  my  condition  was  such  that  I  bad  a  dreadful  time 
pulling  myself  together  and  had  to  concentrate  all  my 
will  power  and  think  HARD  that  thing  I  desired  to  do, 
before  attempting  it,  to  have  any  sort  of  success. 

Moreover,  when  I  first  awakened,  I  could  not  focus 
my  eyes.  They  would  wander  about  in  my  head,  mak- 
ing me  feel  sick  and  desperate.  Usually  in  a  few  mo- 
ments, by  much  effort,  the  double  vision  would  resolve, 
but  everything  would  he  blurred  and  foggy  and  often  T 
could  not  see  acro.ss  my  room.  Often  things  would  seem 
right  close  to  me  that  were  in  reality  nearly  thrice  the 
distance  from  me  that  they  appeared  to  be.  My  pupils 
were  contracted.  I  bad  more  or  less  pain  at  the  base  of 
the  brain  as  well  as  along  the  spine.  T  call  especial  at- 
tention to  these  symptoms,  as  they  recur  now  when  T 
overdo. 

Another  peculiar  symptom  which  1  had  early  in  my 
experience,  which  is  not  uncommon  among  sufferers  from 
nervous  diseases,  was  that  of  shortly  after  retiring  and 
after  having  slept  a  few  minutes,  there  would  seem  sud- 
denly to  appeal'  in  the  mind  just  as  quick  as  thought,  a 


44  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

dream  which  seemed  unusually  real — that  of  a  small, 
thick-set  man  with  a  very  dark  skin  and  black  mustache 
and  broad-brimmed  slouch  hat,  a  most  devilish  face,  who 
seemed  to  have  come  into  the  room  instantly  and  crouch 
near  a  window  opposite  me,  take  aim  with  a  long-barreled 
revolver,  and  shoot,  and  I  would  seem  to  feel  the  bullet 
pierce  some  part  of  my  body,  and  I  would  awake.  I  have 
met  others  who  have  had  the  identical  experience. 

For  years  I  had  been  troubled  by  these  hideous, 
frightful  dreams.  At  this  time  they  seemed,  if  possible, 
worse  than  before.  I  dreamed  often  of  falling  into  a 
lake  partly  frozen,  and  going  down,  down,  down,  quite 
to  the  bottom.  I  could  see  strange  monsters  of  the  deep 
in  combat,  others  seeking  prey  and  coming  for  me.  I 
could  see  horrible  grinning  mouths  and  cavernous  throats 
and  just  as  they  were  about  to  gnash  me,  I  would  awaken 
in  an  agony  of  terror,  dripping  with  sweat,  and  so  wreak 
I  could  not  utter  a  sound. 

Other  times  I  frequently  dreamed  of  falling  into  a 
nest  of  snakes  on  a  rocky  ledge  of  a  mountain  with  no 
means  of  escape.  I  could  feel  their  slimy,  wriggling 
bodies  coil  around  me,  could  feel  the  pain  of  their  fangs 
—and  would  awaken  as  before.  Again  I  would  dream 
of  riding  on  a  bicycle  on  a  rough,  mountainous  road — 
that  I  passed  a  wood — and  from  every  tree  and  thicket 
there  rushed  a  horde  of  yelling,  screeching  gorillas  who 
at  once  began  pursuit.  So  I  must  ride,  ride,  ride.  Madly 
I  seemed  to  skim  along — up,  up,  up,  higher  upon  the 
mountainside.  They  cut  me  off  from  the  road.  I  rode 
across  the  sward.  Finally  I  could  see  that  I  was  riding 
para  I  lei  with  the  seashore.  The  foaming,  angry  billows 
dashed  against  jagged  rocks  below.  The  ledge  upon 
which  I  was  riding  became  more  narrow  as  I  proceeded. 
The  bicycle  struck  some  stones  and  hurled  me  over  the 
precipice.  I  could  see  the  shapes  of  sharks  waiting  for 
my  fall  into  the  salty  depths.  I  grabbed  at  the  spare 
vegetation,  momentarily  checking  the  fall — but  it  gave 
way,  and  T  dropped,  dropped — and  again  I  would  awake 
;is  before. 

Frequently  I  dreamed  I  was  in  an  elevator  and  that 
the  controller  was  broken.  It  seemed  to  be  in  one  of 
the  great  skyscrapers  in  Chicago.  The  elevator  would 
go  up  to  the  top  with  lightning  swiftness  and  then  drop 
to  the  bottom  with  a  sickening  thud,  only  to  repeat,  and 


70 

M 

o 

—1 

o 

70 

■< 


n 
> 

H 

a 

O  > 

z  r 


o 

c: 


r 
> 

n 


n 

g 

n 

o 
o 


46  AN   ODD  SOLDIERY 

repeat,  until  my  soul  was  wrung  with  fright  and  agony 
— and  again  I  would  awaken  as  out  of  other  dreams. 

Perceiving  that  the  things  which  were  being  done 
were  not  helping  me,  I  got  word  to  Mr.  Smedley  at 
St.  James  and  he  kindly  came  to  see  me.  I  was  not  able 
to  talk  enough  to  explain  the  situation,  but  my  folks  did 
so.  He  was  very  sympathetic  and  kind  and  said  he 
would  return  in  a  few  days  and  tell  me  what  St.  James 
would  and  could  do  for  me. 

After  a  few  days  or  weeks  he  returned  to  say  that  I 
was  to  be  taken  to  the  Alexian  Brothers  Hospital,  where 
all  my  expenses  would  be  paid  by  St.  James.  He  also 
said  that  if  they  said  anything  to  me  about  pay  that  I 
should  say  that  those  matters  were  to  be  attended  to  by 
Dr.  Stone  of  St.  James  Church,  and  that  Dr.  Stone  would 
himself  pay  for  the  carriage  which  should  take  me  to 
the  hospital.  Dr.  Auld  added  to  the  stimulants  I  was 
then  taking,  and  I  took  the  chance  of  getting  there  alive. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

A  Few  Skirmishes — The  Seamy  Side  of  Soldiery. 

OX  arriving  at  the  hospital  I  was  at  once  put  into 
the  charge  of  Dr.  Albrecht  Heym,  Neurologist, 
lately  imported  from  Germany.  The  doctor 
could  speak  but  little  English.  His  examination  was  the 
most  thorough  I  have  ever  had.  As  he  rapped  along  my 
spine  with  his  odd  hammers  and  other  apparatus,  or 
listened  along  my  spine  with  his  stethoscope,  he  fre- 
quently indulged  in  despairing  ejaculations  and  expres- 
sions of  pity.  The  nurses  and  other  doctors  expected 
me  to  die  in  a  few  days.  But  my  youth  and  Doctor 
Heym's  excellent  judgment  prevailed.  He  had  examined 
my  abdomen  with  great  care  and  bewailed  the  intestinal 
shrinkage  and  general  cadaverousness.  My  temperature 
was  commonly  subnormal,  sometimes  as  low  as  95°  (nor- 
mal is  98.6°).  and  some  doctors  say  that  one  degree  down 
is  worse  than  two  degrees  up,  so  far  as  danger  of  demise 
is  concerned.  I  weighed  only  ninety-nine  and  a  fraction 
pounds,  and  I  am  a  man  practically  six  feet  tall  with  a 
large,  heavy  outfit  of  bony  frame — so  large  that  if  it 
were  normally  covered  I  would  weigh  about  two  hun- 
dred pounds. 


ARTHUR   P.   FULLER  *i 

I  was  given  bromides,  iodide  of  potassium,  electricity, 
water  baths,  iced  and  hot  hose  play,  massage;  later 
cabinet  (artificial  sunlight — dry  heat)  electric  Lighl  baths. 
with  massage,  hose  projectile  shower,  etc.,  and  arsenic 
and  iron  added  to  my  medicines.  He  saw  to  it  that  1 
had  an  abundance  of  plain,  nourishing  food.  About  a 
year  later,  I  was  told  thai  they  had  done  all  they  could 
for  me  and  that  I  should  get  into  the  country  and  that  I 
would  then  probably  get  strong  faster.  I  weighed  one 
hundred  and  twenty  pounds  and  could  walk  one  hun- 
dred feet,  and  sil   up  an  hour  per  day. 

1  got  my  sisters  to  write  to  some  friends  in  Fond  du 
Lac  and  succeeded  in  gaining  for  myself  an  invitation  to 
(•dine  there  and  sojourn  for  awhile.     As  T   was  leaving 
the  hospital    1   thanked   Brother  Ambrose  for  the  excel 
lent  treatment  I  bad  received.     Concluding,  I  said: 

"Of  course  I  am  primarily  indebted  to  Dr.  Stone 
for  interesting  his  Parish — the  people  of  St.  James 
Church — to  the  extent  that  they  were  willing  to  pay  my 
way  all  this  time.  But  you  have  all  been  very  kind  to 
me  and  1  appreciate  it." 

Brother  Ambrose  smiled:  "Who  told  you  St.  James 
had  paid  your  way  here?" 

"Why.  1  don't  know  that  any  one  has.  I  understood, 
though,  that  they  were  to  do  so." 

And  then  the  Roman  Catholic  Brother  gently  in- 
formed me  that  my  Episcopalian  friends  had  done  ab- 
solutely nothing  along  that  line — bad  not  paid  them  one 
penny  toward   my  maintenance  there. 


Well,  it  was  true  that  St.  James  had  paid  my  salary 
—had  given  me  a  piano  as  a  reward  for  faithful  service 
when  1  left  there.  1  guess  they  did  not  owe  me  any- 
thing. 1  had  often  waded  through  snow  to  my  hips  in 
order  to  serve  them  faithfully — but  a  few  compliments 
to  my  grit  settled  such  an  account,  of  course.  I  had 
simply  done  my  duty,  l'.ut  I  had  been  led  to  suppose 
that  they  had  decided  to  be  generous.  1  Mas  dazed  and 
ashamed. 

A  few  weeks  after  arriving  in  Pond  du  Lac  it  be- 
came evident  T  was  not  prospering.  I  called  Dr.  May- 
ham,  who  had  treated  me  while  1  was  at  the  Cathedral 
and  stimulated  me  so  thai  1  could  finish  the  contract 
year.      Strychnine,   nitro-glycerine,    digitalis   and    bella- 


RT.  RLV.  CHARLLS  CHAPMAN  GRAFTON 
Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  Fond  du  Lac  and  Rector  of  St.  Paul's  Cathedral 
A  great  orator,  a  mighty  character,  a  kind  man 


ARTHUR  F.  PULLER  49 

donna  was  the  outfit.  But  it  had  nol  rendered  me  im- 
mune from  further  exhaustion,  nor  caused  my  body  to 
receive  new  life  and  energy — just  a  kick — a  whip  when 
I  needed  rest. 

I  had  had  bromides  a  year.  So  Dr.  Mavhain  had  no 
alternative  hut  to  give  the  old  dope  over  again.  1  losl 
ground.  My  friends  got  sick  and  I  had  to  move.  My 
poor  relations  were  making  great  efforts  and  sacrifices 
to  keep  me  in  funds.  A  friend  went  to  see  the  Bishop 
of  Fond  du  Lac.  The  following  is  the  conversation  thai 
resulted  : 

"Bishop  Grafton,  Arthur  Fuller  is  in  town.  He  is 
sick  and  unable  to  work — has  been  down  most  of  the 
time  since  he  left  here.  His  folks  are  unable  to  do  more 
for  him.  I  called  to  ask  if  you  would  kindly  try  to  in- 
terest some  of  the  moneyed  people  in  his  behalf,  and 
also  if  you  would  authorize  the  Cathedral  Choir  to  give 
a  concert  in  the  Parish  House  for  his  benefit. 

The  Bishop  hesitated.  "Arthur  Fuller-  Arthur 
Puller!  Where  have  I  heard  that  name  before?  Who 
is  Arthur  Fuller?" 

He  had  forgotten  the  cog  in  the  machinery.  There 
was  to  be  no  concert.  Lots  of  good  reasons  why  it  could 
not  well  be — so  many  requests  on  behalf  of  deserving 
people,  so  many  things  on  hand,  etc. 

But  my  sister  Blanche,  assisied  by  the  oilier  mem- 
bers of  the  family,  rustled  up  a  concert  in  a  hurry  in 
Chicago,  and  the  funds  were  sent  to  me.  Accordingly 
I  went  to  St.  Agnes  Hospital.  Dr.  Mayham  added 
arsenic,  iron  and  manganese  solution  to  the  treatment, 
but  I  lost  ground.  Some  people  fancy  that  grief  cannol 
affect  the  health.  Well,  it  is  true  that  I  was  mighty 
weak  and  that  the  least  thine'  might  be  harder  for  me 
to  bear  than  a  greal  deal  would  be  for  a  well  man.  Bui 
some  people  are  hard  and  cannot  understand  why  any- 
one should  care  about  anybody  or  anything.  Grief  is 
not   real  until  it    gets  into  one's  own  heart. 

T  was  told  that  1  must  renounce  music  forever.  1 
was  told  to  forget  religion  and  cease  trying  to  qualify  to 
associate  with  angels,  but  to  be  satisfied  to  stay  with  men 
until  my  three  score  years  and  ten  should  be  fulfilled. 
However,  I  did  not  improve,  so  on  the  advice  of  a  friend 
I  changed  doctors. 

The  new  doctor  was  R.  A.  Palmer.  He  gave  dif- 
ferent  medicines  than  any  I  had  recently  had.    I  do  uo1 


50 


AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 


know  what  they  were.  I  improved  slowly  but  steadily, 
finally  going  to* live  with  the  doctor,  who  was  alone.  He 
did  his  best  for  me.  After  six  months  L  had  improved 
until  I  could  sit  up  eight  hours  each  day  and  could  walk 
about  seven  or  eight  blocks.  My  eyes  improved  until  1 
could  use  them  about  fifteen  minutes  each  day.  I  trusted, 
hoped  I  was  getting  well. 

Among  other  things  the  doctor  taught  me,  was  to  do 
my  own  thinking.  But,  oh,  pity!  my  walking  ability 
wasliot  long  with  me.  My  heart  became  more  and  more 
erratic.  I  began  to  experience  difficulty  on  going  to 
sleep.  Just  as  soon  as  my  conscious  mind  would  slum- 
ber— as  soon  as  I  began  to  cross  the  line  between  sleep- 
ing and  waking,  my  heart  would  forget  to  do  business 
to  a  most  distressing  extent.  It  did  some  wonderful 
rolling  and  indulged  in  oddest  and  most  fear-inspiring 
irregularities  during  sleep.  I  append  a  few  examples 
of  its  action  during  the  day : 

Before  a  meal  the  pulse  would  read  about  as  fol- 
lows: prostrate,  72;  sitting,  78;  standing,  104.  After  a 
meal,  prostrate,  110;  sitting,  138;  standing,  164.  There 
would  also  be  as  great  a  difference  in  quality  as  in  speed. 
After  a  meal  and  before  exertion  the  pulse  would  be 
strong,  full,  bounding:  before  a  meal  and  after  exertion 
the  pulse  would  be  soft  and  thready.  Three  hours  after 
a  meal  the  heart  would  begin  to  be  a  little  less  suscep- 
tible. One  day  as  my  heart  was  continuing  fast,  which 
it  always  does  following  the  slightest  over-step  of  my 
meagre  limit  of  exertion,  Dr.  Palmer  said,  "Now,  you 
have  been  walking  about  eight  blocks  per  day,  and  I  be- 
lieve if  you  will  get  out  and  boldly  exercise,  that  heart 
will  have  to  come  down;  and  I  will  guarantee  to  you 
that  it  will  drop  to  normal." 

It  had  failed  to  quiet  down  at  the  usual  time  after 
the  meal,  and  the  doctor,  who  was  a  very  large,  power- 
ful man,  by  agreement  set  his  best  walking  pace  and  we 
walked  five  blocks  to  the  bridge.  When  we  started  my 
pulse  was  132.  When  we  reached  the  bridge  it  was  164. 
We  walked  back  home,  and  nature  collected  the  penalty 
— I  was  completely  prostrated;  fever,  sweating  and  utter 
inability  were  accompaniments. 

The  heart  held  steadily  at  142  to  146,  and  inter- 
mitted, fluttered  and  did  double  beat  frequently,  result- 
ing in  slight  blanks  in  consciousness,  heart  cough,  pallor 
and  bluishness  of  the  lips. 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  51 

After  this  experience  the  diastole,  or  second  part  <>i 
the  heartbeat,  was  soft,  as  if  it  struck  on  a  cushion  or 
soft  rubber  plate,  and  on  efforl  to  walk  there  was  a  gush- 
ing or  blowing  sound  with  it,  as  well  as  anemic  mur- 
murs. 

My  countenance,  which  had  been  possessed  of  good 
color,  with  bright  eyes  and  red  lips,  was  for  a  long  time 
after  this,  pah — particularly,  my  lips  were  colorless  and 
bluish  mornings,  and  my  eyes  were  dull  and  glassy. 
During  the  day  my  face  occasionally  would  suddenly 
flush  deeply  and  my  head  seem  bursting  with  fullness 
of  blood,  and  then  the  color  would   leave  again. 

Alter  the  experience  referred  to  above,  I  at  times 
had  a  feeling  as  if  cold  water  were  being  sprayed  just 
underneath  the  scalp  from  about  the  middle  of  the  top 
of  the  head,  clear  across  the  breadth  and  to  the  forehead. 
and  also  as  if  a  weight  were  laid  on  my  heart.  And  I 
sometimes  had  a  sensation  as  if  the  blood  had  receded 
from  my  brain.  This  did  nol  worry  me  much  just 
then,  as  I  was  not  doing  many  mental  stunts  at  that  time. 
1  used  also  to  have  such  a  sensation  all  over  my  body, 
and  watched  to  see  whether  it  was  real  or  simply  a  ner- 
vous •"sensation."  Often  I  used  to  watch  my  hands  and 
arms,  which  would  be  warm  and  the  veins,  distended. 
measuring  probably  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter. 
This  receding  sensation  would  come,  and  I  would  see 
the  veins  suddenly  fade  to  a  line  of  blue  as  fine  as  the 
finest  thread,  and  the  flesh  would  become  pale. 

I  will  not  have1  space  to  tell  in  detail  all  the  different 
troubles  that  came  to  me  along  the  way.  From  time  to 
time  I  will  have  to  make  long  skips,  lint  just  here  I 
will  say  that  my  sister,  relations  and  friends  had  done  all 
they  could  to  keep  me  in  funds.  Xow  that  I  was  evi- 
dently getting  down  again  they  sent  me  a  ticket  home. 
The  ride  from  Fond  du  Lac  was  a  terrible  ordeal  for  me 
and  I  suffered  intensely  from  heart  pain  and  general 
conditions. 

For  a  lime,  through  the  mails.  I  continued  under  the 
medical  advice  of  Dr.  Palmer  with  whom  I  had  been  the 
past  year.  Bu1  acute  conditions  arose  requiring  per- 
sonal attention.  Accordingly  \h\  Reininger  was  called. 
He  was  a  physician  and  surgeon,  <  >steopat  h.  Chiropractic, 
and  Suggestive  Therapeutist.  He  was  confident  he  could 
benefit  meat  once  and  permanently.  Bui  he  failed  to  do 
so — on  the  contrary,  1   became  rapidly  worse  under  his 


52  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

treatment.  I  tried  another  highly  recommended  physi- 
cian and  surgeon — Dr.  Espy  L.  Smith.  He  made  some 
inquiry  as  to  my  heredity  and  the  past  treatment.  He 
said: 

"I  see  clearly  that  you  have  had  excellent  treatment. 
The  best  has  been  done  for  you  that  could  have  been. 
But  if  that  heart  does  not  get  relief  and  aid  at  once  your 
earthly  troubles  will  soon  be  over.  Your  heart  may  hold 
out  three  weeks,  or  even  six.  But  if  it  does  not  get 
help,  your  days  are  numbered.  You  are  a  brave  man — 
there  is  no  occasion  for  me  to  beat  around  the  bush." 
He  proposed  an  operation.    But  I  did  not  have  the  price. 

At  this  time  I  could  only  sit  up  an  hour  each  day, 
and  could  walk  only  a  few  steps — from  my  wheel-chair 
to  the  bath-room. 

To  say  that  I  fought  desperately  the  on-creeping  ex- 
haustion  is  to  put  it  mildly.  I  had  had  to  reduce  my 
exercise  step  by  step,  and  what  I  suffered  in  vain  effort 
to  keep  up  my  little  stunts  no  one  can  imagine  except 
any  who  may  have  had  a  similar  experience. 

I  searched  diligently  to  find  out  what  could  be  the 
cause  of  my  increasing  exhaustion.  Why  did  I  not  get 
stronger  instead  of  weaker?  I  told  different  doctors 
about  the  pains  along  my  spine,  but  they  simply  passed 
by  that  matter  saying,  "spinal  irritation."  I  noticed  that 
when  I  sat  up,  as  long  as  I  remained  doubled  over  like 
an  old  man,  my  heart  was  not  much  faster  than  when  I 
was  lying  down;  but  if  I  essayed  to  straighten  up,  the 
pulse  would  jump  forty  to  fifty  degrees  and  hold  there 
as  long  as  I  remained  straight. 

Misfortune  had  come  to  my  relations  in  one  form 
or  another  and  they  were  no  longer  able  to  do  anything 
for  me.  Every  resource  had  been  taxed  to  the  uttermost. 
I  cast  about  me  to  see  how  I  could  get  money.  I  con- 
trived to  get  credit  for  some  toilet  articles,  and  although 
I  could  not  use  my  eyes,  managed  to  write  notes  to 
neighbors  and  friendly  people  and  go1  my  lillle  nephew 
to  deliver  them,  and  so  made  sales  enough  to  keep  me  in 
some  soil  of  funds. 

Circumstances  developed  that  made  it  necessary  for 
me  to  give  up  the  room  1  had  been  occupying  to  make  a 
place  for  another  unfortunate  member  of  the  family. 
Accordingly  1  was  moved  into  the  unfinished  ;ittic  of  Hie 
house  my  father  rented.  The  "A"  shaped  roof  met  1lie 
sides  aboul    eighteen   inches  from  the  floor.     There  Avas 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  53 

nothing  but  the  rafters  and  shingles  betweeD  me  and  the 
outside.  There  was  a  window  in  the  front  and  one  at 
the  rear.  <  uie  of  the  big  stores  advertised  dress  Lining 
at  one  cent  per  yaTct  I  figured  our  how  many  yards  I 
would  need,  and  managed  to  sell  enough  toilel  articles 
to  get  the  necessary  cash.  Had  a  friend  buy  the  ma- 
terial. Persuaded  my  brother-in-law  to  tack  the!  cloth 
around,  forming  a  room  about  twelve  by  fourteen.  [After- 
wards be  procured  some  paint  and  painted  the,  cloth, 
making  it  fairly  windproof.  .       '?"/>«.> 

Every  time  I  caught  cold  I  had  a  severe -atl  ick  of 
catarrhal  inthimmation  of  lhc-bo\yels.  or  bladdei,  or  a 
dose  of  rheuiuat  ism.  §&  I  made  The  ac'iuainta  ice  of 
Dr.  Win.  J.  Poffofrk.  He.  was  aii  Allopath  a  ml  K<j-h-.H  ic, 
hut  a  good  on ec;"  However,  prosperity  ruins  many  ai  g&atl 
man.  and  increased  pat  pbuage  made  him  so  independent 
that  it  was  noQpossible  for  him  to  stoop  to  be  thorough. 
I  became  tired  of  having  him  run  in,  look  at  me,  asps  how 
I  was,  write  a  slip  of  paper,  and  go  on  and  send  in  Iris  bill 
for  professional  calls  when  he  gave  me  only  two  or  three 
minutes.     So  I   decided   to  drowse  around  a  hit. 

I  learned  of  Dr.  W  &.  Li  pes,  of  Indianapolis,  Ind. 
He  was  a  mighty  fine  man  and  a  ij-ood  doctor.  He  made 
fewer  mistakes  than  most  doctors  with  whom  I  have  had 
dealings.  My  bladder  trouble  was  so  obstinate,  he  won- 
dered if  I  might  not  have  a  stricture.  I  did  not  know 
what  that  was.  I  learned  that  it  was  similar  to  polypus 
in  the  nose — just  a  catarrhal  thickening  of  the  urethral 
canal — that  it  mighl  come  from  long  continued  irrita- 
tion, or  from  an  accident,  or  from  venereal  disease,  or  it 
migh.1  be  congenital.  I  certainly  had  the  symptoms.  But 
I   must   not   gel   ahead  of  my  story. 

.My  parents  were  in  very  poor  health  and  were  too 
feeble  to  climb  the  stairs  to  wail  on  me,  so  I  hired  a 
neighbor  hoy  to  come  to  me  three  times  each  day.  In 
order  to  continue  \)v.  Lipes'  medicines.  1  often  had  to 
make  sacrifices.  One  thing  after  another  was  sold  to 
gel  money.  In  the  course  of  time  I  even  sold  my  bed. 
and  for  many  months  I  lay  on  a  mattress  filled  with 
saw-dust  which  was  laid  upon  a  discarded  barn  door 
and  this  in  turn  was  rested  upon  three  soap  boxes.  As 
I  had  not  the  price  of  a  stove,  and  had  no  one  to  attend 
it  for  me,  I  had  to  use  an  oil  heater  which  had  been  given 
me  some  time  since  b\-  my  dear  daddv. 


WILLIAM  SMLDLLY 
The  most  eminent  Choirmaster  west  of  New  York  CHy 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  55 

However,  this  oil  stove  was  inadequate  in  the  win- 
ter weather,  and  it  \v;is  in  this  way  thai  I  conceived  the 
idea  of  having  cay  bed  movable — so  thai   I  could  attend 

to  a  coal  stove.  I  never  had  the  strength  to  do  so.  and 
never  had  the  stove,  hut  the  idea  was  worth  much  to  me, 
as  may  presently  he  seen. 

Realizing  thai  St.  James  Church  had  not  actually 
spent  any  money  on  me.  I  thoughl  I  could  not  more  than 
be  refused  if  I  again  asked  them  to  help  me.  According- 
ly 1  sent  for  Mr.  Smedley  again.  He  came.  I  told  my 
story.  St.  dames  then  sent  several  medical  experts  to 
pass  on  my  case.  They  recommended  similar  treatment 
to  that  which  had  been  given  me  at  the  Alexian  Brothers 
Hospital,  as  it  had  been  somewhat  successful — had  bene- 
fited me  somewhat. 

Mr.  Smedley  came  back  to  see  me  again  and  tell 
me  that  I  was  to  have  just  what  T  needed  and  that  I 
should  be  ready  at  such  a  time.  The  ambulance  came 
and  I  was  taken  to  St.  Luke's  Hospital. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Arrival   of  Long   Looked  For  Reinforcements — Crushed 

By  Unsuspected  Enemy. 

OX  arrival  at  the  hospital.  1  was  placed  in  the  ward 
tients  were,  and  men  with  Bright's  disease,  liver 
where  pneumonia,  typhoid  and  rheumatic  pa- 
disease,  ete.  I  had  to  use  the  same  bed-pans  and  utensils 
as  those  patients.  I  was  supposed  to  have  absolute  rest, 
freedom  from  worry,  plenty  of  nourishing  food,  mas- 
sage  and  electricity  and  other  things  that  were  not  to  he 
had  at    home. 

The  interne  came  for  my  case  history.  1  was  green 
at  telling  the  story,  and  forgot  to  mention  many  things 
that  should  have  been  brought  to  mind,  and  spent  time 
on  some  matters  which  were  unimportant.  Bui  1  did 
not  know  what  They  wanted  and  needed  to  know  then 
as  I  do  now. 

Dr.  Faville.  the  head  professor,  seemed  much  inter- 
ested in  my  case.  However,  all  the  treatment  1  received 
was  hypodermic  injections  of  nitrate  of  strychnine,  and 
glycero-phosphate  of  lime  and  soda  in  wafer  form. 
orally.  I  could  not  see  anything  very  remarkable  in  that 
outlay.      I    finally    perked    up    courage    enough    to    ask 


56  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

about  the  massage,  etc.,  and  was  told  that  they  did  not 
believe  in  such  doings  at  St.  Luke's  Hospital. 

The  man  with  Bright 's  disease  and  dropsy  suffered 
dreadfully.  He  and  others  kept  up  constant  groaning. 
1  could  not  sleep.  He  had  to  be  tapped  several  times. 
The  stencil  was  frightful.  1  could  not  see  that  that  en- 
vironment was  an  improvement  over  the  attic,  so  I  re- 
turned to  my  former  shelter.  St.  -James  Church  and  the 
hospital  authorities  seemed  to  feel  that  I  had  behaved 
very  disgracefully,  and  had  insulted  them. 

The  medical  profession  was  at  this  time  much  en- 
thused over  the  claims  of  lymph  treatment.  I  contrived 
to  get  in  touch  with  the  New  Animal  Therapy  Co.,  and 
with  Dr.  L.  C.  Gottschalk.  He  came  and  examined  me. 
He  was  the  first  physician  to  express  the  opinion  that  my 
trouble  was  largely  due  to  the  spine. 

Dr.  Gottschalk  was  strong  on  the  Suggestive  Thera- 
peutics proposition.  He  said  that  I  needed  cell  stimu- 
lation and  if  I  would  use  the  lymph  as  directed,  I  would 
be  walking  in  four  days.  I  did  as  directed.  When  the 
appointed  time  came  that  I  should  be  able  to  walk,  I 
was  in  a  bad  shape.  I  was  passing  urine  nearly  as  thick 
as  soft  soap  and  only  about  twelve  ounces  per  day  (nor- 
mal is  forty  to  forty-eight  ounces.)  It  was  excessively 
foul.  My  pulse  was  very  rapid  and  weak,  breathing  was 
very  difficult.  I  was  in  such  a  state  of  complete  col- 
lapse that  I  could  not  even  feed  myself.  In  short,  the 
evidences  were  undeniably  to  the  effect  that  if  I  would 
stick  to  that  treatment  a  few  days  I  would  be  a  dead  man. 

One  of  my  sisters  sang  in  the  choir  at  the  Fulton 
Street  M.  E.  Church.  Dr.  W.  B.  Leach  was  pastor  there 
;it  that  time.  My  sister  interested  him  in  me  and  he 
used  frequently  to  come  to  see  me,  and  pray  for  my  re- 
covery. Several  times  his  entire  congregation  made 
special  prayers  for  my  restoration,  in  conjunction  with 
other  congregations.  But  it  appeal's  to  me  quite  evident 
that  God  expects  every  man  to  work  out  his  own  prob- 
lem and  saw  his  own  wood.  1  think  it  is  a  mistake 'for 
the  sick  to  gel  discouraged  and  bitter  when  prayers  are 
not  answered.  The  mistake  is  in  wrong  teaching  and 
mis-interpretation  of  the  Deity.  I>n1  more  concerning 
t  his  in  anot  her  place. 

T  have  not  space  to  put  every  matter  down  in  de- 
tail. But  the  next  experience  of  special  interesl  that  T 
can  now  recall   was  with  something  that  was  such  a   radi- 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  =7 

eal  departure  Prom  the  accepted  systems  ;is  makes  men- 
tion of  it   a  dangerous  thing.     As  the  waving  of  a   red 

flag  in  the  face  of  an  enraged  bull,  so  it  is  to  publish  the 
good  of  a  doctrine  qo1  approved  by  the  majority. 

I  had  considered  the  sayings  of  the  doctors  thai 
massage  was  very  beneficial  in  cases  like  mine.  Ac- 
cordingly I  secured  the  services  of  Mile.  Hilda  Malmquist, 
professional  masseuse,  and  had  had  three  treatments  per 
week  for  nine  months  withoul  appreciable  benefit.  I 
therefore  concluded  that  the  rubbing  was  not  the  pana- 
cea    the  elixir  of  life     the  means  of  renewing  vitality. 

Do  noi  forget,  kind  reader,  that  I  had  to  lie  in  this 
dismal  attic,  twenty-four  hours  on  a  stretch,  seven  days 
a  week,  having  only  the  ten  or  fifteen  minutes'  attention 
three  limes  each  day  by  the  boy,  Willie  Effertz,  who 
waited  upon  me.  I  could  not  read  or  whistle  or  sing— 
just  think,  think,  think-  wait,  wait,  wait  wait  for  morn- 
ing— look  out  at  the  beautiful  stars  and  vault  of  heavenly 
blue,  and  beg  them  to  tell  me  how  to  improve  my  condi- 
tion beg  Uu-  morning-  beg  that  the  long,  sleepless 
night  be  ended.  And  when  the  day  came  -wait  until 
the  boy  came  to  hurry  through  with  the  few  duties — 
then  wait — until  he  came  again  at  noon;  eat  my  little 
lunch  ami  then  waif  alone  until  oight — until  he  should 
come  again  and  li^iit  my  lamp  and  bring  my  supper. 
And  then  wait — until  sleep  time.  And  so  began  the 
weary  program  over  again. 

Where  were  my  folks,  my  friends?  Well,  my  folks 
had  all  they  could  do  to  look  after  themselves.  My 
friends?  My  God!  Had  I  lived  in  vain?  Where  were 
those  that  should  love  me.'  Where  have  they  been  every 
t  ime  I  needed  t  hem  .' 

lint  one  day  I  read  the  large  type  of  a  head-line 
advertising  "NERVE  FORCE."  It  was  an  oil  or  un- 
guent to  be  applied  to  the  skin  from  head  to  foot  and 
particularly  to  the  spine. 

Miss  Malmquisl  also  treated  Rime.  Anna  Weiss,  a 
Roncerl  pianiste,  whose  studio  was  in  Steinway  Hall.  As 
I  was  a  musician,  I  was  mentioned.  She  came  to  see  me. 
The  result  was  thai  by  the  co-operation  of  Rev.  \h-.  Leach, 

Mme.     Weiss    gave    a     benefit     eoneerl     for    me.       With    1  he 

monev  I  go1  a  supply  of  "Nerve  Force." 

After  using  it  three  months  I  found  myself  im- 
proved in  many  ways.  1  had  gained  in  weighl  ami  gen- 
eral   health,   only    1    continued   i<>   have   to   keep   strictly 


58  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

within  the  very  meagre  limits  as  to  exertion,  principally 
on  account  of  my  heart.  I  therefore  called  Dr.  Pollock 
again  and  took  medicines  prescribed  by  him. 

As  I  had  been  without  internal  medicine  or  stimu- 
lative treatment  for  some  time,  it  was  not  to  be  won- 
dered at  that  his  remedies  appeared  to  have  beneficial 
effect.  However,  they  did  not  re-make  me,  so  I  used 
judgment  about  increasing  my  exertions  not  being  will- 
ing to  undo  the  good  which  Nerve  Force  had  done  me.  I 
had  such  frequent  sub-acute  attacks  of  cystitis  that  I  felt 
bound  to  mention  my  apprehensions  in  regard  to  a 
stricture. 

He  at  once  proposed  that  I  get  fifty  dollars  together 
and  he  would  have  a  great  specialist  come  and  operate 
on  me,  and  say  if  there  was  anything  further  to  be  done. 
For  I  was  not  satisfied  with  my  progress — it  was  not  up 
to  what  I  had  so  fondly  hoped  for. 

By  the  assistance  of  a  certain  very  few,  I  managed 
to  get  the  required  fifty.  Dr.  Delpratt  came,  performed 
his  little  operation,  and  then  expressed  his  views.  He 
had  never  seen  me  before,  and  while  he  did  listen  to 
quite  a  story  from  my  lips,  his  questions  seemed  to  have 
rather  more  of  a  personal  than  a  professional  meaning 
However,  I  was  green  then.  Rapacious  doctors  are  not 
an  uncommon  sort  of  bird. 

"Can  you  move  your  legs?"  Dr.  Delpratt  asked. 
"I  can,"  I  replied. 
"Let  me  see  you." 

"Can  you  sit  up?"  was  his  next  question. 
"Yes,"  I  answered. 
"Let  me  see  you,"  the  doctor  insisted. 
"I  have  done  my  stunts  already  today,"  I  replied. 
•"Well,  but  I  was  not  here  to  see  you.     I  think  you 
are   just    fooling   me.      I   don't    believe   you    can    sit    up. 
•Just  try  it.     If  you  drop  dead  1  will  pay  the  funeral  ex- 
penses. " 

"I  can  sit  up  all  right.  I  just  said  I  have  done  my 
stunts  today — all  that  was  proper  for  me  to  do,  or  I 
would  bave  done  more.  I  have  had  to  stand  a  lot  of 
suffering  several  times  before,  just  to  prove  T  was  game, 
and  there  is  nothing  in  it.  You  must  think  you  have 
happened  upon  a  good  sure  enough  ease  of  hypo." 
( Hypoch  ond  riasis ) . 

"You  are  all  right,  but  you  have  lost  your  nerve. 
You  are  afraid  to  show  me  that  you  can  sit   up." 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  59 

"You  arc  mistaken.  I  have  nerve  and  1  also  have 
judgment.  The  effects  of  an  over-draught  are  not  im- 
mediate, hut  they  are  none  the  less  certain.  That  is 
proven  by  cases  of  dissipation,  the  collapse  of  profes- 
sional men,  and  other  things.  If  it  were  proper  for  un- 
to sit  up  now  I  would  do  so,  but  I  know  it  is  not  best." 

"No,  you  are  afraid  yon  would  die.  But  don't  you 
know,  I  would  sign  the  death  warrant.  If  your  folks 
could  not  bury  you,  the  hogs  or  the  maggots  would  clean 
your  bones.  Show  me  what  you  can  do  if  you  arc  ;i 
mau. '' 

I  swung  around.  Under  much  the  same  line  of  dare 
I  was  also  induced  to  get  upon  my  feet — the  first  time  in 
some  years.  On  the  same  dare,  I  walked  across  the  little 
room.  He  offered  to  help  me  when  I  staggered,  but  I 
refused,  saying  that  if  I  could  do  it  at  all  I  could  do  it 
alone.  He  advised  large,  frequent  doses  of  strychnine, 
with  glycerophosphate  of  lime  and  soda,  and  increased 
doses  of  Pollock's  Heart  Tonic  (strophanthus,  gelsemn- 
ium,  cactus  grandiflour  and  cinchona   compound). 

He  went  awav  feeling  verv  well  satisfied  with  him- 
self. 

Before  I  slept  that  night  I  prayed  a  long  prayer.  If 
I  were  fooled  about  my  condition — if  I  were  a  "hypo," 
if  I  were  self-hypnotized,  oh,  I  was  so  thankful  to  find 
it  out.  The  shame  of  it  was  not  to  be  compared  to  the 
glory  of  it.  I  slept  hard  that  night.  In  the  morning  I 
awakened  eager  for  the  beginning  of  a  new  life — the  re- 
newing of  the  power  to  walk.     I  tried  further. 

By  night  the  old  lethargy  began  to  creep  upon  me. 
I  tried  to  shake  it  off,  saying  it  must  not  be — I  must  get 
out  of  this  fix.  I  tried  to  ignore  and  forget  it.  But  each 
day  the  old  symptoms  and  conditions  became  more  and 
more  aggravated.  On  going  to  sleep  my  body  jerked,  al- 
most throwing  me  oft'  the  bed.  My  muscles  began  to 
twitch  and  draw  wonderfully.  Cramps  developed  in  dif- 
ferent muscles.  Fever  came  upon  me.  Bain  came  into 
the  back  of  my  head  at  the  nape  of  the  neck.  The  old 
heavy  sweats  returned,  and  with  them  the  horrible 
dreams.  My  heart  began  to  run.  My  bowels  and  blad- 
der became  in  a  worse  condition  than  they  had  yel  been. 
The  pain  was  unendurable.  Every  former  means  of  re- 
lief was  tried  without  success.  The  lethargy  crept  over 
me  as  of  old.  My  voice  became  so  weak  and  thin  or  so 
deep  and  sepulchral  that   it  sounded   like  another  person. 


60  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

My  body  became  numb  from  head  to  foot.  I  could  not 
think.  When  I  had  an  idea  to  express  it  would  be  gone 
before  I  could  finish  uttering  it.  I  did  not  know  where 
I  was.  1  was  confused.  I  did  not  know  whether  it  was 
long  since  I  had  gotten  down  or  only  a  few  days  ago.  I 
scarcely  knew  what  I  did.  My  heart  held  at  a  hundred 
and  forty-six.  My  urine  was  like  pus,  my  bowels  moving 
frequently  with  great  pain,  passing  slugs  of  mucus  as 
large  as  a  fat  man's  thumb.  The  pain  along  my  spine 
was  intolerable.  My  elbows  ached,  and  also  the  palms 
of  the  hands,  down  my  legs,  in  my  knees  and  at  the  soles 
of  my  feet. 

In  other  words,  in  less  than  ten  days,  I  had  lost  all 
the  precious  vitality  that  had  been  built  up  in  five 
months. 

I  stopped  the  treatment — went  back  to  some  things 
I  could  trust,  and  endured  the  realization  of  all  these 
things  with  what  grace  I  might.  When  I  got  my  wits 
back  so  I  could  think  and  talk  straight  I  sent  for  Pol- 
lock. He  SUPPOSED  I  was  getting  along  nicely  was 
the  reason  I  had  not  sent  for  him.  I  asked  him  if  he 
now  had  any  OBJECTIVE  symptoms  as  to  the  unwise- 
ness  of  the  stunts  Dr.  Delpratt  had  put  me  up  against. 

He  shifted  uneasily  in  his  chair  and  said  Delpratt 
would  not  have  talked  so  if  I  had  been  one  of  his  own 
patients.  But  that  Delpratt  thought  I  might  as  well  die 
trying  to  get  out  and  get  exercise  as  to  stay  there  until 
death  came  upon  me.  But  I  got  another  doctor  after 
that.  Some  men  are  so  bullheaded  they  must  see  a  man 
dead  before  they  will  perceive  or  admit  that  their  side, 
their  belief,  their  science,  if  you  please,  has  its  limita- 
tions. 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  61 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

A  Renegade's  Ruse— A  Spy's   Damaging  Work— Prom- 
ised Ammunition  Intercepted  by  the  Enemy— Heroic 
Sacrifices  by  Faithful  Allies— An  Able  General 
to  the   Fore— Hope   of  Victory— A   Better 
Position  Gained. 

MY  few  customers  in  the  toilet  article  and  Light 
grocery  line  were  beginning  to  discover  bar- 
gains at  the  big  stores  and  my  income  suf- 
fered. A  certain  few  of  my  kin-folk  helped  what  they 
could  out  of  their  meagre  earnings.  But  the  combined 
receipts  were  not  adequate.  As  St.  James  Church  had 
not  as  yet  actually  spent  any  money  on  me,  I  thought 
I  would  dare  to  try  them  again. 

I  studied  over  the  situation,  and  could  not  compre- 
hend what  caused  my  continued  inability,  unless  it  was 
either  the  state  of  my  spine  or  that  stricture;  for  Del- 
pratt's  operation  seemed  transient  in  its  benefit,  and  I 
was  in  the  same  state  as  before.  I  learned  of  a  doctor 
in  Cincinnati  who  claimed  to  have  a  painless  operation 
for  thai  trouble  and  had  had  some  correspondence  with 
him. 

In  response  to  a  letter,  Mr.  Smedley,  the  choir- 
master, very  kindly  came  over  again  to  see  me.  I  ex- 
plained that  T  needed  some  money  for  living  expense-, 
and  for  treatment.  lie  said  that  Dr.  Stone,  rector  of 
St.  .lames,  was  quite  out  of  patience  with  me  for  the  way 
1  had  acted  regarding  their  kindness  in  getting  me  into 
St.  Luke's  Hospital.  But  he  said  he  would  do  his  best 
to  get  Dr.  Stone  to  agree  to  allow  the  choir  to  give  a 
concert  for  my  benefit.  He  departed  and  made  overtures 
to  \)v.  Stone  with  the  result  that  Dr.  Stone  sent  him 
back  to  "I-N-V-E-S-T-I-G-A-T-E"  further,  and  find  ou1 
what  it  was  1  wanted  in  the  way  of  treatment. 

I  felt  considerable  delicacy  about  explaining,  but  \ 
did    so.      Mr.    Smedley    took    pains    to    gel    the    name    and 

address  of  the  Cincinnati  doctor,  and  departed. 

In  a  few  weeks  he  returned  to  say  thai  he  had  not 
been    sent,    hut    had    come    on    his   own    account    so   that    1 


62  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

would  not  be  worrying.  He  explained  t licit  they  had 
written  the  Cincinnati  man  and  had  been  more  fully  in- 
formed as  to  the  trouble.  He  gently  informed  me  that 
the  Cincinnati  man  had  said  that,  of  course,  they  under- 
stood that  this  trouble  was  the  result  of  impure  living — 
that  I  had  denied  that  I  had  ever  done  things  that  would 
bring  about  such  troubles,  but  that  it  was  common  for 
men  who  associated  with  a  good  class  of  people  to  reply 
negatively  to  questions  in  this  regard  even  though  they 
were  guilty.  What  could  I  do?  The  doctor  said  thus  and 
so.  I  KNEW  and  stated  contrarily  to  the  man  who  wras 
just  enough  to  give  me  a  hearing.  But  the  doctor's 
erroneous  pre-supposition  won  the  day.  The  false  report 
was  out  and  its  correction  would  not  travel  a  thousandth 
as  fast  as  the  malodor  had  done. 

Some  folks  may  want  to  inquire,  "Can  a  man  actu- 
ally come  to  the  degree  of  helplessness  that  Fuller  claims 
he  has  come  to?"  In  another  part  of  this  book  will  be 
found  the  diagnosis  of  Dr.  M.  Olson. 

Let  me  tell  you  some  more  things  she  said : 

"Before  I  attempt  to  advise  what  you  should  do 
to  better  your  condition,  I  will  need  to  know  what  treat- 
ment you  have  previously  had — what  remedies  have  been 
administered,  and  who  prescribed  them.  Can  you  fur- 
nish any  information  along  this  line" 

I  replied,  "I  have  always  been  much  interested  in 
the  science  of  medicine.  At  school  I  always  got  high- 
est credits  in  physiology.  I  never  lose  an  opportunity 
to  learn.  1  have  made  it  my  business  to  remember 
things  that  were  told  me.  Furthermore,  many  doctors 
tell  their  patients  when  they  are  administering  power- 
ful or  poisonous  medicines  so  that  the  patient  will  take 
care  to  follow  directions  implicitly,  and  avoid  allowing 
the  remedies  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  children.  I  re- 
member for  one  cause  or  another,  certain  remedies  that 
have  been  given  me." 

"That  is  very  good,"  responded  the  doctor,  "tell  me 
all  you  can  in  this  regard.  Also,  tell  me  as  nearly  as  pos- 
sible, how  long  each  remedy  was  administered." 

Accordingly  I  told  what  I  knew  about  past  treat- 
ment.    The  doctor  then  said: 

;'A  number  of  the  remedies  yon  mention  are  cere- 
brospinal stimulants.  Tt  is  very  evident  that  at  some 
time  in  your  life,  had  you  been  so  situated  that  you 
could  have  had   a    year   or  two   in    quiet    surroundings, 


HIGH  ALTAR.  ROOD  SCRE.LN  AND  CHANCEL 

Fond  du  Lac  Cathedral 

Where  the  Writer  was  Head  of  Things  Musical 


64  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

sanitary  conditions,  and  abundance  of  nourishing  food, 
and  freedom,  from  worry  and  application  to  enervating 
occupations,  INSTEAD  of  the  cerebro-spinants,  your 
present  sad  condition  could  have  been  avoided.  From 
consideration  of  your  heredity,  I  can  see  that  you  would 
never  have  been  a  strong_  man,  but  you  need  not  have 
come  to  such  a  state  as  that  1  find  yo^  in,  and  might 
have  enjoyed  life  by  living  moderately  and  hygienically. 
Xitro-glycerine  is  not  a  safe  stimulant  for  prolonged  use, 
and  I  cannot  understand  how  any  physician  can  be  so 
thoughtless  as  to  recommend  its  use  for  -as  long  a  period 
as  ten  months.  Caffeine,  kola,  coca,  phosphorus,  Phy- 
sostigma,  xanthoxylum  and  mix  vomica  are  all  valuable 
remedies,  but  circumstances  appear  to  have  been  so  ser- 
iously against  you  that  their  employment  was  more  of 
a  curse  than  a  blessing  to  you. 

'•'Bait  in  my  opinion,  the  use  of  bromides  for  eigh- 
teen consecutive  months  was  as  serious  a  mistake  in  the 
opposite  direction.  The  too  prolonged  use  of  them  will 
actually  CAUSE  degeneration  of  the  spinal  cord  and 
brain,.  Physicians  are  often  called  upon  to  treat  con- 
ditions which  are  the  direct  result  of  the  use  of  patent 
medicines  which  contain  sedative  drugs,  and  have  been 
used  immoderately  for  the  relief  of.  pain.  1  have  a  case 
of  idiocy  in  a  boy  of  fifteen,  now,  from  that  cause. 

''My  advice  to  you  is  to  keep  away  from  medicines 
and  doctors.  Find  some  way  to  get  out  doors.  Stay  in 
the  sun  and  air  as  much  as  possible.  Eat  sensibly  of 
plain,  nourishing  food,  don't  worry,  take  things  easy. 
Try  to  be  at  your  best  always.  Keep  your  cheerful  dis- 
position. Drink  copiously  of  fresh  water,  have  frequent 
baths,  sail  rubs;  cold  packs  and  enemas.  Ice  to  the  base 
of  the  brain  and  along  the  spine  should  relieve  the  pains 
you  experience  there.  Morphine,  hyosciamus,  cannabis, 
hemlock,  hellebore  and  acetanilid  are  not  sufficiently 
efficacious  to  warrant  recommendation  in  a  case  like 
yours.     Hot  water  applications  are  much  safer." 

Many  was  the  ocular  headache  with  accompanying 
state  of  hyperasthesia  that  I  brought  upon  myself  as  I 
lay  in  that  attic  room,  by  turning  the  leaves  of  maga- 
zines, and  reading  the  larger  type.  But  on  one  of  these 
occasions  T  read  the  ad.  of  Dr.  S.  M.  Langworthy,  Cedar 
Rapids,  Iowa.  His  specialty  was  fixing  spines.  I  cor- 
responded with  him.  Some  months  later  I  risked  my 
life  by  making  the  trip  from  Chicago  to  Cedar  Rapids. 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  65 

I  Ii;k1  engaged  ;i  room  by  mail,  and  my  relatives  had  sue 

ceeded  in  raising  some  m sy  for  me  by  some  legitimate 

liui  original  method.  This  wiih  certain  other  helps  from 
a  IVw  unwearying  helpers  enabled  me  to  try  actual  spinal 
t  reatment. 

A  sleeper  was  engaged  for  me  and   I   made  the  trip 

on  a  board  eighl  inches  wide  and  forty-f •  inches  long. 

On  arriving  in  Cedar  Rapids,  I  go1  the  depol  master  to 
call  a  drayman  who  took  me  to  the  place  when;  I  had 
engaged  a  room.  This  man's  name  was  Die  and  1 
smiled  grimly  as  we  joined  aloniz'  to  the  new  scene,  say- 
ing to  myself,  "Never  say  Die."  His  wagon  had  neither 
sideboards  nor  stakes,  and  as  the  board  on  which  I  had 
come  from  Chicago  had  no  le«-s,  I  had  to  lie  face  up  on 
his  open  wagon.     Bu1  we  arrived  in  safety. 

It  was  some  time  before  I  was  sufficiently  recovered 
from  this  trip  to  be  able  to  endure  the  examination  by 
the  doctors.  Dr.  Langworthy  was  the  president  of  the 
American  School  of  Chiropractic.  The  entire  faculty  and 
a  few  students  came  to  see  me.  Dr.  Langworthy  made 
the  spinal  and  general  examination  and  diagnosis. 
Treatment   was  begun  forthwith. 

In  these  days,  it  seems  that  every  man's  hand  is 
raised  againsl  his  brothel-.  Even  father  and  son  are  in 
conflict.  There  shall  nol  be  one  line  in  this  book  intend- 
ed to  damage  the  interests  of  any  school  of  doctors  or 
healers.  The  purpose  of  this  book  is  merely  to  state 
facts  regarding  my  experience  and  physical  condition. 

Physicians  have  been  more  kind  to  me,  possibly, 
than  any  division  of  people.  It  would  be  ungrateful, 
discourteous  and  unwise  for  me  to  abuse  them,  even  if  I 

I'elt  disposed  to.    They  have  frequently  1 n  patrons,  and 

1   need   to  avoid   making  enemies. 

This  book  is  written   for  my  defense  and   if  any  man 

will  do  me  the  h r  to  consider  its  contents  from  cover 

to  cover,  with  unbiased  mind,  he  can  hardly  fail  to  realize 
that  1  have  set  forth  only  facts  and  have  presented  the 
truth.  Many  is  the  physician  who  has  come  along 
where  I  vvas  selling  on  the  street  and  said,  as  he  took  my 
hand  and  held  it    warmly  in  his  own  : 

'I  have  read  your  life-book.  My  wife  bought  it  a 
day  or  so  ago.  You  have  my  deepest  sympathy.  While 
yon  are  in  our  city,  if  I  can  do  anything  for  yon  profes- 
sionally or  otherwise,  day  or  uight,  do  not  hesitate  to 
have  me  called.     I    want   yon  to  take  this  dollar  in  the 


66 


AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 


spirit  in  which  it  is  given — it  is  merely  the  outward  token 
of  a  sincere  appreciation  of  your  courage  and  manhood. 
I  owe  it  to  you.  I  only  wish  I  could  give  you  enough  to 
take  care  of  you  the  rest  of  your  life.  But  I  am  a  man  of 
large  family  and  it  is  not  a  great  deal  I  can  do  for  you  in 
a  financial  way.  But  I  sympathize  with  you  deeply,  and 
I  would  consider  it  a  privilege  to  assist  you  in  any  way 
that  might  lie  in  my  power." 

I  would  certainly  do  a  shameful  thing  to  cast  re- 
flections on  a  set  of  men  who  have  among  them  those 
who  are  noble,  big-souled,  clean-conscienced  men,  who 
would  do  and  have  actually  done  more  for  me  in  a  busi- 
ness way  than  any  other  class  of  professional  men. 

Dr.  Langworthy  said:  "Medical  men  are  antagon- 
istic to  Chiropractic  as  they  were_  toward  Osteopathy. 
The  Osteopaths  seem  to  have  forgotten  that  they 
formerly  occupied  the  same  position  as  Chiropractors, 
and  side  with  the  medical  men.  However,  you  perhaps 
already  know  that  I  am  president  of  the  American  Col- 
lege of  Chiropractic  which  is  one  school  with  its  course 
up  to  legal  standard.  We  are  able  to  meet  the  medical 
men  upon  their  own  grounds  and  prove  our  right  to 
practice  both  by  results  and  theoretical  versatility — talk 
over  the  situation  in  their  own  language. 

"I  find  abundant  cause  for  your  condition  in  your 
spine." 

I  will  not  give  in  detail  his  diagnosis  of  the  exact 
spinal  conditions  as  it  is  given  as  a  later  statement  from 
another  Chiropractor,  farther  on  in  this  book. 

When  Dr.  Langworthy  began  treating  me  I  could 
talk  but  little — could  turn  over  only  twice  in  twenty-four 
hours,  and  could  lie  only  on  my  back,  except  perhaps  an 
hour  at  night.  My  functional  processes  were  very  weak 
and  I  could  not  walk,  sit  up  or  use  my  eyes.  At  the  end 
of  three  months  I  had  hoped  to  be  able  to  walk,  but  I 
was  only  slightly  better.  Dr.  Langworthy  said  that  if 
I  could  in  some  way  contrive  to  remain  another  three 
months  he  was  satisfied  I  would  be  so  much  better  that  I 
would  hardly  know  myself  for  the  same  man.     He  said: 

"Of  course,  I  do  not  wholly  disregard  the  law  of 
heredity,  but  in  my  opinion  those  falls  were  the  real  cause 
of  your  trouble.  If  a  good  Chiropractor  or  even  an  Os- 
teopath had  gotten  hold  of  you  at  that  time  you  could 
have  been  fixed  up  in  a  very  few  adjustments.  But 
as  you  say  those  falls  occurred    nine    years    ago,    it    is 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER 


67 


pretty  hard  to  correcl  mal-adjustment  that  lias  existed 
so  long.  Furthermore  the  medicines  thai  have  been  ad- 
ministered have  had  their  effecl  in  bringing  about  local 
conditions  that  are  hard  to  handle.  If  we  can  get  those 
medicines  thoroughly  out  of  your  system  it  will  he  a 
great  blessing  to  you.  I  believe  that  if  you  will  contrive 
to  stay  here  for  a  while  longer  we  will  get  you  at  least  so 
that  you  will  not  have  to  take  those  heart  medicines  any- 
more. Getting  a  man  in  your  condition  off  from  stim- 
ulants which  have  been  so  long  in  use  is  no  easy  matter. 
"From  a  Chiropractic  standpoint  all  of  your  troubles 
are  from  the  state  of  your  spine.  Even  that  stricture  is  a 
result  of  motor  reaction.  You  admit  that  they  used  gel- 
semium  to  relieve  it,  and  any  medical  man  will  admit 
that  that  drug  acts  on  the  nervous  system,  and  the  re- 
laxation occasions  the  relief.  The  conditions  recur  be- 
cause the  cause — the  impingement  of  spinal  nerves — has 
never  been  removed.'3 

My  folks  contrived  to  keep  me  in  funds  a  while 
longer,  and  in  the  meantime  I  worked  out  the  plan  I  had 
formulated  in  that  attic  room  in  West  Superior  street, 
Chicago,  when  contemplating  how  I  could  become  suffi- 
ciently independent  physically,  to  operate  a  coal  stove._  I 
ordered  by  mail  a  tin  wagon  which  cost  $1.45.  I  in- 
duced the  man  with  whom  I  was  boarding  to  make  a 
platform  on  which  1  might  lie,  and  so  began  the  evolution 
of  the  cot-wagon  that  has  been  in  use  so  many  years 
since.  At  first  I  could  only  bear  to  get  on  the  wagon 
once  per  Aveek  and  the  slight  motion  caused  much  suffer- 
ing. But  I  stuck  to  it,  and  by  Dr.  Langworthy's  faithful 
help,  presently  got  so  I  could  endure  to  be  wheeled 
about. 

After  a  few  months  I  became  sufficiently  hardy  to  be 
able  to  endure  to  talk  and  ride  enough  to  canvass  and  so 
began  my  discovery  of  a  way  to  earn  a  living.  I  had  to 
guard  very  jealously  my  vitality  and  could  not  converse 
nor  otherwise  do  as  1  had  done  before  the  entire  respon- 
sibility fell  upon  me.  but  had  to  save  every  atom  of  force 
for  the  work.  But  I  thus  managed  to  remain  where  I 
could  continue  the  Chiropractic  system. 

A  number  of  times  it  seemed  best  for  me  to  go,  but 
Dr.  Langworthy  hated  to  give  up.  1"  aten,  and  advised  me 
to  stay,  saying  thai  a  few  months  more  treatment  would 
probably  show  much  greater  results  than  the  former 
had.     But    the   trial   showed    us   disappointment.     I   had 


68  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

the  treatment  eighteen  months  and  at  the  end  of  that 
time  was  in  the  best  condition  I  had  been  in  since  I  first 
became  unable  to  walk  and  work.  But  although  I  was 
unable  to  walk  or  sit,  I  am  very  thankful  to  say  that  the 
results  were  substantial  in  the  benefit  to  my  general 
health.  However,  at  first  I  could  not  get  along  without 
the  treatments  and  after  a  pause  of  three  months  fell 
back  so  much  that  it  looked  as  if  I  were  going  to  drop 
into  the  old  state  again,  and  I  made  the  trip  from  Hous- 
ton, Texas,  to  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  (fourteen  hundred  odd 
miles),  in  order  to  get  more  treatment.  Langworthy  did 
not  fail  me,  and  I  was  soon  as  well  as  when  I  first  left.  I 
stayed  several  months  longer,  however,  so  as  to  take  that 
much  more  assurance  that  I  would  not  have  a  relapse 
when  I  left  off.  His  vibratory  machines  of  his  own  in- 
vention are  wonders  in  the  way  of  palliative  agencies, 
and  deliver  more  Osteopathy  in  a  minute  than  a  man  can 
in  half  an  hour  with  his  hands. 

Dr.  Langworthy \s  adjustments  benefited  my  heart 
to  such  an  extent  that  I  was  able  to  withdraw  the  stimu- 
lants, and  so  that  I  could  talk  all  I  wanted  to,  and  could 
ride  a  good  bit.  They  benefited  my  bladder  and  ureth- 
ral condition  to  a  considerable  extent.  I  had  formerly 
experienced  terrible  attacks  of  inflammation  of  the  bowels 
every  little  cold  I  caught.  Furthermore  the  awful  attacks 
of  spinal  pain  were  lessened  greatly  in  frequency  and 
severity.  Therefore  it  is  evident  that  the  Chiropractic 
treatment  was  well  worth  while. 


CHAPTER  IX. 
Holding  the  Fort. 

TBERE   are   certain   people   who    fancy   themselves. 
Limited   sovereignty  of  the  will.     They  ask,  "Do 
"strong-minded,"  who  believe  in  the  absolute  un- 
yon  ever  try  to  walk.'    If  I  were  yon  I  would  get  up  and 
declare  my  freedom."     To  them  I  would  reply: 

Will-power  is  that  faculty  of  mind  which  enables 
the  direction  of  the  attention,  concentration  of  thought, 
continuity,  and  perseverance  in  a  given  intention,  in  the 
face  of  opposition;  is  the  dominating  element  in  that  we 
call   conscious   mind,    therefore    directing    the    body    to 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  69 

movements  which  make  for  the  fruition  of  mental  pros- 
pect. It  therefore  has  absolutely  nothing  to  do  with  the 
performance  of  the  bodily  functions.  "No  man  can  by 
will  power  change  the  color  of  his  hair,  nor  add  one 
euhit  to  his  stature."  IF  you  will  show  me  a  man  who 
can  take  the  proportionate  amount,  hy  weighl  or  volume 
of  the  twelve  elements  known  to  compose  the  human 
body,  and  make  thereof  a  Living,  breathing  soul.  I  will 
show  you  a  man  who  is  fit  to  judge  whether  or  not  I  am 
fooled  concerning  my  condition. 

Some  good,  well-meaning  people  make  positive,  but 
meaningless  remarks  aboul  having  faith.  Faith  is  not 
entirely  a  matter  of  choice.  We  trust  one  person  and  dis- 
trust another,  without  reason  or  excuse,  but  no  matter 
what  arguments  are  brought  to  bear,  the  mind  usually 
remains  unchanged.  [f  the  success  of  any  matter  de- 
pends upon  faith,  it  is  without  substantial  foundation. 
If  a  doctor  or  a  medicine  has  power,  following  the  direc- 
tions is  all  the  faith  thai  is  necessary  to  obtain  results. 
If  the  doctor  or  medicine  has  not  the  power,  faith  stands 
a  poor  show  of  bestowing  it. 

My  views  regarding  Religion  as  ;i  therapeutic  agent 
are  fully  given  in  an  essay  on  the  subjed  "What  is 
Truth.'-  which  may  be  found  in  my  hook  entitled. 
"Seven   Essays." 

If  we  believe  that  saw-dust  will  nourish  the  body. 
to  resort  to  it  as  a  steady  diet,  will  result  in  death  by 
starvation  if  from  nothing  else.  All  the  faith  God  Al- 
mighty requires  lis  to  have  is  to  ea1  two  or  three  reason- 
able, square  meals  per  day,  and  we  will  have  no  trouble 
in  avoiding  starving  to  death,  the  bodily  conditions  being 
normal  to  begin  with.  I  do  not  care  to  argue  with  any- 
one. Let  every  man  think  as  he  pleases,  hold  that  which 
appeals  to  him  as  reasonable,  logical,  true  and  extend  to 
me  the  same  privilege. 

If  my  trouble  is  not  due  to  spinal  injury  it  must  be 
due  to  overwork  and  heredity.  Good  stock  cannot  be 
raised  from  poor  progenitors.  My  father  had  heart 
trouble    from    boyhood.      I    must    admit    that    his   tendency" 

to  excessive  use  of  tobacco  was  often  an  exciting  cause 
for  a   bad  hearl    Gondii  ion. 

I  can  remember  when  I  was  a  child  how  anxious 
mother  was  every  time  father  would  go  out.  even  though 
it  were  only  half  a  block;  he  mighl  come  home  carried 
by  men  or  in  an  ambulance  or  a  carriage,  having  fallen 


70  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

over  in  the  street,  and  in  the  busy  streets  of  Chicago  it 
was  quite  as  likely  to  happen  just  in  front  of  a  street  car 
or  vehicle  as  anywhere  else. 

His  heart  trouble  was  always  declared  to  be  ner- 
vous, functional  or  reflex — not  valvular.  His  heart 
storms  also  broke  with  but  little  warning.  Of  a  sudden 
his  heart  would  leap  to  the  rate  of  200  or  more,  and 
would  so  continue  as  many  as  ninety-six  hours  or  even 
more.  During  such  times,  his  body  was  usually  covered 
with  a  cold  sweat,  his  eyes  inclined  to  be  set  and  star- 
ing. He  was  weak  and  dizzy  and  experienced  a  smother- 
ing sensation,  and  there  was  little  if  any  pulse  at  the 
wrist.  Of  course  during  these  attacks  he  was  unable  to 
walk  at  all,  and  was  very  restless,  being  unable  to  find 
it  tolerable  in  one  position  long,  therefore  sitting  a  while 
and  then  desiring  to  recline. 

.My  sisters  have  had  more  or  less  difficulty  with  their 
hearts,  are  weak,  and  evidently  persons  of  feeble  vitality. 

My  troubles  began  with  cramps  and  icy  coldness 
of  the"  feet  and  legs,  an  inability  to  guide  my  feet  nor- 
mally when  fatigued,  increasing  lack  of  power  in  the 
limbs,  failing  sense  of  equilibrium,  and  little  blanks  in 
consciousness.  Aphonia  (temporary  loss  of  voice),  fre- 
qent  attacks  of  throat  troubles,  difficulty  in  swallow- 
ing, causing  frequent  strangulating  spells  which  were  so 
severe  that  I  often  became  black  in  the  face  before  I 
could  get  to  breathing  again.  With  these  symptoms  came 
weeping  of  the  eyes,  followed  shortly  by  excrutiating 
pains  iu  the  eyes. 

Have  you  ever  seen  a  great  bundle  of  worms  as  big 
as  a  water  bucket,  writhing  and  twisting  at  the  base  of  a 
tree  which  they  were  destroying?  I  used  sometimes,  to 
have  a  sensation  as  if  the  calves  of  my  legs  were  com- 
posed of  a  bundle  of  such  worms.  When  I  would  rise 
from  a  chair  or  bed  my  heart  would  pain  severly,  and  I 
would  become  dizzy  for  a  few  moments.  I  then  began 
to  have  more  or  less  pain  all  the  time  around  my  heart, 
and  to  climb  a  flight  of  stairs  was  a  thing  to  be  dreaded, 
for  when  I  got  to  the  top  I  was  dizzy  and  ached  all  over 
and  the  pain  accompanying  every  heart  beat  was  almost 
unbearable.  Every  symptom  I  experienced  became  in- 
creasingly worse,  and  bad  conditions  recurred  more  fre- 
quently every  year. 

When  I  arose  out  of  a  chair  or  off  a  bed,  my  heart 
beats  became  very  slow  and  labored  and  violent,  and  the 
agonizing  pain  presently  was  not  only  at  the  heart,  but 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  71 

went  up  the  spine  clear  across  the  top  of  the  head,  and 
it  seemed  as  though  a  black  cloth  had  been  thrown  over 
me  All  I  would  be  conscious  of  for  several  minutes 
often,  would  be  the  necessity  for  grabbing  onto  something 
and  hanging  on.  My  heart  would  gradually  increase 
until  the  more  acute  symptoms  subsided. 

Later  on  I  once  or  twice  experienced  a  sympton 
when  looking  at  the  ground  or  some  other  object,  as  if  I 
had  suddenly  raised  my  head  and  looked  at  the  sun — a 
blinding  light.  Such  a  symptom  is  the  only  one  possible 
for  the  optic  nerve  to  give,  as  it  has  no  sensory  connec- 
tion. 

After  some  years  of  treatment  a  new  line  of  pain 
came — along  the  left  fore  side  of  my  neck,  reaching  up  to 
my  ear. 

The  doctor  said  it  was  the  pneumogastrie  nerve,  and 
at  this  time  there  was  frequently  a  beating  sensation  at 
my  left  ear  similar  to  when  one  draws  the  flap  of  the  ear 
over  the  "hole  and  taps  upon  it  with  the  tip  of  the  ringer. 
The  slightest  exertion  would  cause  a  gushing  noise  to 
sound  in  my  ears.  At  times  this  would  be  accompanied 
by  the  distention  id'  the  corotid  arteries  accompanied  by 
flushing  of  the  adjacent  skin.  This  caused  a  choking 
sensation.  I  frequently  used  to  have  palpitation  of  the 
heart   in  the  oight. 

All  my  life  elimination  has  been  more  or  less  im- 
perfect, although  my  bowels  acted  with  some  pretense  of 
regularity.  A  brisk  cathartic,  instead  of  causing  one  or 
two  copious,  satisfactory  movements,  would  simply 
cause  perhaps  half  a  dozen  painful  evacuations  in  the 
course  of  a  day,  the  quantity  expelled  at  each  time  being 
very  small,  accompanied  by  an  "all  gone''  feeling  of 
weakness,  trembling  and  sometimes  dizziness. 

My  kidneys  did  not  function  properly.  Painful. 
bin-nine'  micturition  was  a  result  and  there  was  a  greal 
deal  of  brick  dust  sediment.  The  urine  was  very  scanty 
and  high  colored.  For  about  three  years  1  was  troubled 
with  muscular  rheumatism  in  the  shoulders:  also  since 
1906  1  have  been  subject  to  attacks  of  inflammatory 
rheumatism  in  my  knees,  limbs  and  back. 

About  ISIHi.  and  for  a  year  or  two  following,  my 
bowels  were  so  irritable  that  I  could  not  even  drink 
Water  as  cold  as  that  which  comes  from  the  faucet  or  if 
would  brine-  a  sort  of  diarrhoea.  This  was  heradled  by 
dizziness   and    congestion    of   blood    to     the     head     and     a 


72  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

ringing'  in  the  ears  which  was  always  one  tone  and  so 
loud  as  to  be  almost  deafening.  My  body  was  covered 
with  cold  sweat  from  the  severe  pains  through  the  ab- 
domen, and  I  shook  all  over  like  the  a  man  with  the  palsy. 
Tlic  stool  would  be  forcibly  ejected  and  would  be  green 
of  black. 

It  is  amusing  to  note  the  disposition  of  some  people 
to  pity  themselves.  Quite  frequently,  men  will  stop 
when  I  ask  them  to  patronize  me,  and  inform  me  that 
t  hey  are  in  quite  as  bad  a  fix  as  I — and  yet  evidently  have 
their  eyes,  and  can  walk.  With  the  utmost  care  they  ob- 
serve their  condition  in  minute  detail,  and  in  their  over- 
anxiety  pick  on  the  slightest  symptoms  as  being  indica- 
tive of  tlic  presence  of  some  insidious  disease,  or  that 
they  are  "falling  into  a  decline."  A  professor  in  the 
presence  of  some  students  examined  and  prescribed 
treatment  for  a  man  who  complained  of  heart  trouble. 
When  the  man  had  gone  the  doctor  turned  to  the  stu- 
dents and  said,  "If  that  man  had  Fuller's  heart  he  would 
be  scared  to  death."  I  wonder  if  1  can  give  you  an  idea 
of  what  a  "heart  storm"  is  like? 

For  several  days  previous  the  heart  seems  tired  and 
worn,  is  easily  embarrassed,  and  is  sore  and  painful. 
There  may  be  a  suggestion  of  dizziness  at  times,  and  a 
sensation  of  falling  every  time  I  try  to  go  to  sleep,  ac- 
companied by  great  irregularity  in  the  heart's  action. 
Perhaps  for  three  or  four  days  there  is  a  smothered  sen- 
sation and  spells  of  shortness  of  breath  (dyspnoea — ) 
respiration  no  longer  seems  spontaneous;  that  is  to  say, 
the  lungs  seem  to  have  a  tendency  to  stop,  and  there 
seems  to  be  no  necessity  to  breathe;  it  seems  to  be  an  ef- 
fort to  breathe 

Resorting  to  deep  breathing  seems  only  to  stir  up 
dizziness  and  choking  sensations,  and  seems  to  have  no 
effect  in  warding  off  the  approaching  storm. 

An  experience  1  had  after  my  second  collapse — when 
I  was  able  to  walk  a  little — will  serve  to  further  illus- 
trate.  One  night  I  had  some  difficulty  in  composing 
myself  to  sleep  on  account  of  my  heart  being  so  irregular 
and  the  smothering  sensation  being  so  persistent.  Finally 
I  dropped  into  a  doze.  1  must  have  been  asleep  about  an 
hour  and  a  half  when  1  became  dimly  conscious  that  my 
heart  was  flagging  unusually,  like  a  clock  running  down. 
and  finally  T  realized  thai   the  heart  had  stopped. 

!>y   a    tremendous   effort   of  will    and   summoning  ail 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  73 

my  reserve  force,  I  jumped  from  the  bed,  and  the  action 
stimulated  the  hearl  temporarily.  Il  then  ran  as  high 
as  180  or  200  for  a  little,  and  then  a  few  beats  al  the  rate 
of  forty  or  less.  When  fasl  there  would  be  throbbing 
all  over  my  head,  gushing  sounds  in  my  i  ars,  and  in  spite 
of  the  fad  thai  many  years'  singing  had  developed  un- 
usual control  of  the  muscles  used  in  breathing,  it  seem- 
ed for  ;i  time  as  though  every  effort  would  prove  futile. 
When  the  hearl  was  slow  the  pain  was  excruciating. 
Only  those  who  have  passed  through  such  a  struggle  for 
breath  and  life  can  imagine  what  this  experience  is  like. 
The  instance  just  referred  to  occurred  during  the  time 
I  was  under  Dr.  Palmer's  care  before  the  walk  to  the 
bridge.  At  that  time  I  could  walk  perhaps  a  quarter  of  a 
block  a   day  and  could  sit    up   for  several   hours. 


CHAPTER  X. 
A  Running  Fight. 

REGARDING  my  spinal  condition  and  diagnosis,  \ 
quote  Dr.  John  T.  Pue  (graduate  of  Carver-Den- 
ny College  of  Chiropractic,  Oklahoma,  Okla.) : 
"You  have  a  slight  lateral  curvature  in  the  dorsals.  How- 
ever, curvature  of  the  spine  may  exist  without  serious 
detriment  to  the  health.  Sub-luxations  are  what  cause 
impingement  of  spinal  nerves  and  thus  result  in  abnor- 
mal function.  You  have  a  sub-luxation  at  heart-place, 
both  liver  places,  stomach  place  and  kidney  plac< — that 
is.  at  the  first,  third,  fourth,  sixth,  ninth  and  twelfth  dor- 
sal vertebrae. 

'•There  is  a  pronounced  contracted  condition  at  the 
first,  second  and  fifth  lumbar,  and  an  absence  of  the  nor- 
mal curvature  impinging  the  trunk  nerves  that  should 
supply  the  whole  abdominal  and  pelvic  regions,  as  well 
as  lower  limbs,  etc.  There  is  also  sub-luxation  at  the 
cervical  prominens,  which  semis  nerve  supply  to  the 
arms,  bronchial  tubes,  the  throat  generally,  and  the 
stomach.  Snb-luxation  exists  at  axis  and  atlas  first  and 
second  cervicals,)   as  well  as  at  the  fifth,  sixth  and  eighth. 

Moreover  there   is  extreme   contraction   at    the  occipital 

muscles — the  result    id'    motor    re-action     the    reflex    of 
impinged  nerves. 


74  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

"In  regard  to  the  state  of  the  nerve  centers,  it 
should  not  be  overlooked  that  a  sub-luxation  might  in- 
terfere with  the  action  of  the  heart  for  instance,  to  such 
an  extent  as  would  cause  the  most  wonderful  and  out- 
rageous freaks  in  heart-action,  and  even  cause  death, 
and  still  the  plexes  or  nerve  centers,  could  be  in  a  healthy 
condition.  Furthermore  a  spinal  condition  bad  enough 
to  cause  disease  need  not  be  so  pronounced  as  to  be  per- 
ceptible to  the  eye,  or  the  touch  of  the  uninitiated.  It 
takes  an  educated  hand  to  feel,  or  the  trained  eye  to  see 
the  mal-adjustment  that  is  causing  the  trouble.  A 
spinus  process  may  be  visibly  out  of  line  and  yet  not 
seriously  impinge  spinal  nerves.  And  on  the  other  hand, 
there  may  be  very  slight  displacement  and  marked  dis- 
turbance result.  The  degree  of  impingement  is  shown 
by  tlit-  symptoms."  (Dr.  John  T.  Pue,  Nerve  Specialist, 
in  his  office  in  the  Hicks  Bldg.,  San  Antonio,  Tex..  No- 
vember 29,  1909.) 

The  questions  naturally  arise — if  you  can  move  the 
different  members  of  your  body,  why  are  you  so  help- 
less? How  does  exertion  affect  you?  The  facts  are 
given  below : 

On  exertion  there  quickly  develops  in  the  set  of  mus- 
cles being  used,  a  burning  sensation,  followed  directly  by 
dull  ache.  These  increase  rapidly,  and  ere  long,  the  part 
becomes  entirely  helpless — further  motion  becomes  im- 
possible. AYhen  I  am  having  a  bad  spell,  this  ache  is 
general  all  over  the  body  and  there  is  incapacity  for  con- 
trol. The  poorer  my  condition,  the  sooner  these  symp- 
toms appear.  I  have  found  by  experience,  about  how 
much  I  can  safely  do.  If  I  overdo — persist  in  the  en- 
deavor too  long,  or  if  I  repeat  a  slight  overdraught, 
yawning  or  frequent  sighing  comes  about.  The  ache 
develops  more  readily,  it  becomes  very  hard  to  "pull 
myself  together"'  for  necessary  business.  There  is  an 
indifference  to  comfort — it  is  an  effort  to  move,  to 
breathe  everything  seems  irksome — then,  as  Solomon 
said,  "Even  tin-  grasshopper  becomes  a  burden" —that 
old  feeling  of  weakness — ennui,  lethargy  seems  bound  to 
possess  me.  It  would  be  so  much  easier  just  to  let  life 
slip  away  than  to  brace  up  any  more.  There  is  more  or 
less  aumbness,  and  general  failure  of  circulation.  The 
heartsounds  vary,  between  being  jerky  and  excited,  and 
wonderfully  soft.  The  pulse  at  the  wrist  becomes  soft 
and  thready.     There  is  a  chilly,  creepy  sensation  all  over 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  75 

the  body.  The  appetite  leaves,  often  there  is  intense 
nausea,  sleeplessness,  nervousness,  and  a  general  dam- 
ming up  of  functions.    In  other  words,  when  1   begin  to 

exert,  1  begin  to  die. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  tell  it  all — to  fairly  repre- 
senl  just  whal  1  have  to  endure.  And  even  if  I  could 
tell  it,  there  would  no  doubt  be  still  someone  who  was 
skeptical.  "You  look  so  remarkably  healthy  in  the  face 
to  be  so  delicate  as  you  represent!"  some  would  say.  I 
often  have  "encouraging"  remarks  made  concerning  my 
good  color  and  healthy  appearance,  when  I  am  and  have 
been  for  hours,  fighting  hard  to  keep  from  vomiting  all 
over  myself  and  wares,  and  when  I  may  not  have  had 
more  than  two  hours'  sleep  any  of  the  past  seven  nights, 
and  am  in  such  severe  pain  I  can  hardly  speak,  and  am 
so  weak  that  I  could  not  so  much  as  feed  myself  if  my 
elbows  were  not  resting  on  the  sideboards,  or  mattress. 

A  man  met  me  in  the  railroad  depot.  lie  shook  my 
hand  warmly,  saying: 

"I  don't  suppose  you  remember  me,  but  I  see  you 
very  often.  1  saw  you  the  first  day  you  came  to  this 
town,  three  years  ago,  and  pass  you  frequently  as  I  work 
in  the  store  on  the  corner  where  you  stop.  Well,  how 
aire  you?  Say,  do  you  know  you  are  looking  worlds 
better  than  I  ever  saw  you  before — you  have  better  color 
than  anybody  in  this  depot.  Why.  you  look  the  picture 
of  health.  You  are  getting  fat — it  is  easy  to  see.  I'll 
just  bet  you  will  be  up  and  walking  in  a  few  weeks.*' 

Ami  the  next  day  I  had  a  spinal  attack,  and  a  hot  old 
case  of  what  the  doctors  called  malaria — fever  every  day 
for  ten  weeks,  barring  five  days'  intermission  in  the 
fourth  week  when  my  temperature  went  sub-normal, 
reaching  as  high  as  104.  Diarrhoea,  vomiting,  pain  in 
bowels,  over  liver,  contracting  of  muscles  along  spine, 
making  it  so  rigid  T  could  not  turn  my  head,  and  such 
eyeache  I  could  not  move  my  eyes,  pain  everywhere  1 
had  ever  had  an  ache  or  pain,  rheumatism  in  limits,  and 
so  on.  I  met  a  man  in  Pueblo,  Colo.,  who  said  he  had 
heart  trouble,  but  that  if  he  took  care  of  himself,  his  pulse 
and  heart  net  ion  were  so  perfect  that  no  doctor  could 
discover  that  he  had  any  trouble  of  any  sort,  and  thus  he 
could  gain  admittance  to  any  insurance  company.  I  Wit  if 
he  over-ate.  or  got  drunk,  or  over-worked,  or  go1  in  too 
low  or  too  high  an  altitude,  he  at  once  became  in  serious 
condition,   developing  anasarca    dropsy'    to  such   an   ex- 


76  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

tent  that  his  life  had  been  a  dozen  times  declared  gone, 
by  the  best  hospital  physicians  in  several  localities. 

Please  then,  do  not  fancy  it  is  a  sign  I  am  fooled  or 
am  deceiving  you  about  my  condition  when  I  say  that 
when  I  am  holding  my  own,  my  pulse  is  as  strong  as 
yours,  and  my  heart-action  faultless — as  long  as  I  keep 
within  my  limits.  The  speed  is  also  normal.  For  a  man, 
the  best  authorities  say,  the  pulse  may  be  from  72  to  84. 
Many  hospitals  take  76  as  normal.  For  a  woman,  84  to 
96  is  considered  normal.  Mine  is  usually  84 — when  I 
am  holding  my  own. 

So  also  about  my  eyes.  If  I  were  being  tested,  "in- 
vestigated," the  examining  physician  might  think  he  had 
found  a  fraud  or  " hypo-optic"  when  he  first  had  me  do 
a  little  stunt.  But  I  should  have  to  ask  him  to  do  what 
I  have  had  to  do— "WAIT."  And  long  after  the  little 
overdraught  was  committed,  here  would  come  the  symp- 
toms described  as  "eye-ache"  and  all  the  morphine, 
hyoscianms,  bromides,  cannabis  indica,  acetanilid,  caff- 
eine, codeine,  and  all  the  rest  of  them  would  not  help  me, 
would  not  lessen  the  acute  suffering.  The  blurred  vision, 
diplopia,  frequent  disappearance  of  vision  followed  by 
blindness  would  develop  in  spite  of  it  all.  And  all  the 
calomel,  podophyllum,  Leptandra,  hydro-chloric  acid  and 
all  the  rest  of  it,  would  not  continuously  color  my  stools. 
The  price  would  have  to  be  paid. 

I  want  every  reader  of  this  book  to  know  that  be- 
cause an  adverse  thing  was  true  yesterday,  I  do  not  ac- 
cept it  as  being  true  today.  If  I  only  could,  I  would 
save  myself  much  suffering.  I  am  too  sanguine.  I  do 
not  invite  bad  conditions.  On  the  contrary,  I  fight  them 
with  every  atom  and  sort  of  power  a  human  possesses. 
But  when  a  man  has  a  thing  hammered  into  him  as  for- 
cibly as  1  have  had  my  Limitations  hammered  into  me, 
he  is  likely  to  come  to  the  conclusion  that  he  knows  just 
a  little  belter  what  is  best  for  him  to  do,  than  anybody 

els.'. 

Two  and  two  make  four,  and  no  matter  what  any 
man's  opinion  is  in  the  matter,  they  will  not  make  five. 
Xo  man's  opinion  changes  the  facts  in  any  case.  A  man 
cannot  pull  himself  over  the  fence  by  the  straps  of  his 
boots,  and  if  a  man  has  five  dollars  in  his  pockets,  and  is 
able  to  cause  himself  to  think  he  has  ten,  he  nevertheless 
will  not  have  ten  unless  he  gets  busy  and  makes  five 
more.      Likewise,   if   a    man    has   a    normal   allowance   of 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  77 

that  elemenl  we  call  vitality  (or  "life"  .  his  thoughts 
cannot  Leven  the  little  into  prodigiousness,  withoul  the 
co  operation  of  things  over  which  the  will  has  absolutely 
no  dominion. 

In  anticipation,  I  fancy  I  hear  some  reader  ejacu- 
late: ""  Tainl  a  parallel  case— 'tainl  a  parallel  case." 
I  do  ao1  mean  to  forget  that,  "A  sofl  answer  turneth 
away  wrath,"  and  thai  blows  too  oft. mi  only  call  for  re- 
taliation and  repeal  ad  libitum,  ad  infinitum.  Bui  1  feel 
bound  to  say  thai  the  pasl  hundred  years  has  seen  the 
growth  and  developmenl  of  a  number  of  peculiar 
"sciences"  and  theorems.  Tin-  resull  has  been  the  pro- 
jection of  ;i  goodly  number  of  mono-educated  cranks. 
Each  one  has  a  large  line  of  ponderous,  ambiguous  and 
confusing  talk.  At  frequenl  intervals,  he  joyously  re- 
gales himself  by  juir^lin^  the  ideas  taught  by  his  favor- 
ite cult.  Iii  this  manner  he  succeeds  in  re-hypnotizing 
himself.  He  takes  pride  in  his  "logic"  and  admits  nj 
parallel  case  which  could  in  any  degree  interfere  with 
maintenance  of  his  own  pel  theory. 

I  want  to  say  a  word  To  those  people  who  would 
like  to  ask.  "Do  yon  ever  try?"  I  wan'  to  ask  then,  if 
they  think  I  am  getting  all  out  of  life  t li.it  I  could  gel  .'  I 
want  to  ask  them  if  they  think  there  is  any  pleasure  or 

e fori   in   being  in  the  fix  I  am?     Even  a   fly  thai    has 

fallen  in  a  bowl  of  soup  will  try  to  gei  cut,  an  1  I  do  flat- 
ter myself  thai  I  have  as  much  character  as  a  fly. 

Some  folks  who  echo  things  they  have  heard,  with- 
out consideration  of  the  source,  ask:  ""Well,  don't  yon 
think  your  heart  trouble  comes  :rom  your  stomach?'' 

Indigestion  may  oft-times  cause  hear!  symptoms,  bul 
where  the  heart  condition  is  primary,  th  i  pressure  (.round 
it  of  gas  incidental  to  indigestion  is  only  an  exciting 
cause;  and  if  the  heart    were  able  to  do  its  part,   it    would 

not  be  embarrassed  by  such  a  thine'.  Functional  disease 
means  a  splendid  start  for  organic  disease,  and  organs 
are  installed  for  the  performance  of  functions;  and  as 
long  as  Functions  are  properly  performed  a  body  can 
never  die.  Functional  disease,  then,  would  mean  that 
the  organ  in  question  is  departing  from  normal  action: 
and  the  health,  ability  or  comforl  of  the  patient  will  be 
affected  in  proportion  to  the  functional  derangement. 
Tn  my  own  case  I  have  oft-times  observed  thai  during 
a  period  of  heart-depression  my  digestion  was  better 
than  it  had  been  in  a  long  time     and  in  several  instances, 


In  Episcopal  Churches,  the  Choristers,  Choirmaster  and  Organist  Wear 
Vestments  (Colta  and  Cassock) 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  79 

for  years.  As  before  stated,  my  case  is  an  unusual  one. 
Fresh  air,  plain  food  and  out-door  living  often  work 
miracles  for  a  patient  who  has  been  confined  for  some 
years;  but  all  these  things  from  forced  feeding  to  fasting, 
and  from  occupation  to  idleness,  have  proven  as  bottom- 
less as  space  with  me.  Furthermore,  heart  symptoms 
from  indigestion  would  be  occasional  and  would  subside 
when  digestion  was  completed;  but  in  my  case  the  heart 
condition  is  constant  and  is  not  induced  by  indigestion 
only,  although  it  may  be  augmented  thereby,  as  is  com- 
monly the  case  in  organic  stomach  and  liver  trouble  as 
well  as  kidney  trouble,  showing  that  the  heart  trouble  is 
only  primary.  See  Br.  Cook's  observations  further  on 
in  this  book. 

I  must  not  neglect  to  mention  that  I  have  had  liver 
trouble  along  with  the  others.  The  recurrence  of  con- 
gestion became  more  and  more  frequent  as  the  years 
went  by,  until  there  was  hypertrophy.  Milky  urine 
shows  tissue  waste,  so  that  doubtless  the  state  of  the 
urine  as  heretofore  reported,  was  due  to  the  progress  of 
liver  trouble.  Now  1  am  told  I  have  atrophy  of  the 
liver.  I  also  have  dilation  of  the  stomach.  I  have  been 
treated,  examined,  or  advised  by  one  hundred  and  twenty 
physicians  and  healers.  One  of  them  also  said  I  had 
erosion,  or  catarrhal  consumption  of  the  bowels.  My 
groins  are  usually  badly  sunken,  but  I  doubt  if  his  idea 
is  correct. 

Many  doctors  have  the  opinion  that  auto-toxaemia 
has  figured  to  some  extent  in  my  decline  and  obstinate 
disability.  But  it  is  easier  to  lecognize  a  baneful  dia- 
thesis than  to  correct  it.  The  poisons  that  are  retained 
in  the  body  that  should  be  eliminated  may  be  responsi- 
ble for  many  headaches  and  other  pains.  But  I  have 
tried  many  liver  and  bowel  medicines,  and  find  that  too 
often  they  simply  stir  up  fecretiors,  but  do  not  impart 
to  my  bowels  the  power  to  expel  the  accumulated  faecal 
matter  which  is,  at  such  times,  evidently  in  the  bowels, 
ready  for  expulsion.  Fasting  and  the  drinking  of  great 
quantities  of  water,  likewise  fail.  Vigorous  massage  for 
from  two  to  four  hours,  in  addition  to  other  measures,  is 
necessary  to  accomplish  any  sort  of  an  evacuation,  under 
any  circumstances.  Also  the  mechanical  dilation  of  the 
sphincter  muscles,  and  dredging.  Defecation  often  re- 
quires two  hours.  Enemas  have  some  advantages,  hut 
bring  about  more  nausea. 


80  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

Some  time  if  you  will  happen  upon  your  physician 
when  he  is  in  a  genial,  talkative  mood,  you  can  doubt- 
less draw  him  out,  and  he  will  tell  you  of  several  eases 
he  has  had  where  nervous  derangement  existed,  and 
where  some  interesting  features  occurred. 

For  instance,  in  some  forms  of  Neurosis,  the  patient 
is  so  "nervous''  that  when  out  to  dinner,  if  his  glass  of 
water  is  filled  brim  full,  the  thought  of  the  necessity  for 
getting  it  to  his  lips  without  spilling  it,  will  so  unnerve 
him  as  to  cause  him  to  break  into  a  cold  sweat,  and  even 
render  one  hand  uncontrollable,  so  that  he  is  obliged  to 
use  both  hands  to  accomplish  this  simple  feat. 

Or  again,  when  called  upon  to  do  something  in  his 
regular  line  of  work,  with  special  care,  that  he  will  be- 
come so  overAvrought,  that  he  is  wholly  incapacitated, 
and  may  have  a  violent  attack  of  diarrhoea  at  the  mom- 
ent. The  only  way  the  task  can  be  decently  accomplish- 
ed, he  reports,  is  to  absent  his  mind,  and  persuade  him- 
self he  does  not  care  whether  it  is  clone  well  or  not. 

It  would  seem  evident  that  such  conditions  show 
that  the  body  is  weak,  and  is  reacted  upon  by  the  mind, 
adversely.  So  this  leads  up  to  the  point  I  wish  to  make. 
For  there  are  some  well-meaning  people  who  see  clearly 
the  simple  solution  of  the  other's  problem,  but  possibly 
fail  to  handle  some  of  their  own.  I  have  a  shot  for  the 
one  who  says:  "Perhaps  you  would  have  been  better 
off  if  you  had  not  known  so  much  about  medicines,  the 
body,  etc.,  and  would  have  gotten  along  better,  if  you 
had  not  watched  yourself  so  closely." 

This  is  a  compliment,  though  not  intended  as  such. 
This  means  that,  had  I  been  an  idiot,  I  should  have 
been  physically  well.  Piffle — 'twere  better  to  be  as  I  am 
or  dead,  than  to  be  a  mental  pigmy.  And  listen.  I  do 
not  talk  or  think  about  myself,  except  when  somebody 
who  thinks  I  need  their  advice,  seeks  occasion  to  tell  me 
some  things  I  do  not  care  to  hear,  or  some  chump  that 
fancies  me  an  impostor  comes  up  for  a  little  free  informa- 
tion. Where  would  be  the  sense  in  going  to  the  trouble 
and  expense  of  publishing  books  if  I  intended  to  dwell 
forever  on  the  powder  and  shot  already  discharged.  My 
case  history  is  put  into  print  in  order  to  avoid  reitera- 
tion along  iliis  line.  I  have  better  use  for  my  time  and 
energies.  1  am  a  busy  man.  I  have  no  time  for  "hypo" 
absurdil  ies. 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  81 

And  further,  I  do  not  observe  my  body  any  more 
than  I  observe  the  bodies  of  everyone  I  meet  every  time 
my  line  of  vision  is  crossed.  I  am  studying  everybody 
and  everything,  all  the  time.  God  gave  me  the  power  to 
reason,  comprehend  and  compare.  I  am  a  busy  man. 
It  does  me  no  more  harm  to  note  my  condition,  than  it 
does  an  engine  for  an  engineer  to  watch  his  indicators, 
his  fuel,  water,  grates,  and  the  rest  of  it.  Furthermore, 
the  only  begging  I  do  is  for  the  people  to  avoid  talking 
to  me  about  how  I  feel.  If  I  get  better,  I  will  get  off  the 
streets.  As  long  as  you  see  me  lying  down,  selling,  thai 
is  the  only  tiling  1  can  do.  or  1  would  be  doing  the  other 
tiling. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

The  Enemy's  Ambuscade. 

AS  may  be  seen  by  any  fair  minded  person  who  de- 
sires to  give  me  just  judgment,  I  have  been  ham- 
pered all  my  life  by  poverty.  I  have  been  forsaken 
by  friends — had  every  prop  repeatedly  knocked  away 
from  my  needy  carcass.  I  have  been  caught  in  the  treat- 
ing room,  in  the  midst  of  an  examination,  and  was  there- 
fore undressed,  when  the  building  caught  fire.  Screams, 
rushing  footsteps,  smoke  and  flames,  really  ought  to  stir 
up  a  fellow  to  action  if  he  were  capable  of  it.  I  did  not 
run.  Twice  runaway  horses  have  run  toward  me  whilst  I 
was  stationed  on  a  prominent  corner  missing  me  by 
only  a  few  feet.  I  did  not  get  up  and  run  because  I 
could  not. 

A  few  years  ago  I  visited  a  towrn  of  about  8000. 
There  were  few  rooming  houses,  none  having  rooms  on 
the  ground  floor.  Had  to  sleep  in  an  alley  the  first  night. 
Xext  night  in  a  church.  The  third  day  I  rented  a 
"haunted  house."  A  minister  loaned  me  a  bed,  bedding, 
table  and  two  chairs.  The  work  of  pushing  the  wagon 
and  attending  to  the  wants  of  a  helpless  man  is  hard 
and  very  monotonous.  I  have  much  trouble  getting 
and  holding  a  good  boy  for  such  wages  as  T  can  pay. 
I  advertised  for  a  boy  to  travel  with  me.  Through  sym- 
pathy I  engaged  an  orphan  who  was  then  many  miles 
away.  T  furnished  railroad  fare,  boughl  him  clothes  ami 
fixed  up  another  room   for  him. 


S2  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

I  owned  a  typewriter  but  had  not  learned  to  use  it. 
On  Saturday  I  needed  some  letters  written,  so  went  to  a 
public  stenographer.  She  had  not  time  to  do  all  I  want- 
ed but  offered  to  come  to  my  room  and  take  dictation 
the  following  Thursday  afternoon.  Monday  morning  at 
6  :30  I  gave  the  boy  money  to  make  some  purchases  for 
breakfast.  That  was  the  last  I  ever  saw  of  him.  He 
had  not  seemed  dissatisfied.  I  was  alone.  The  house 
set  back  quite  a  ways  from  the  street.  I  always 
keep  a  heavy  cane  handy  with  which  to  reach  things. 
I  pounded  with  it  on  the  floor  rapped  on  the  window 
pane  across  the  bed.  I  shouted.  No  one  heard.  The 
second  day  a  lot  of  people  passed.  I  could  see  them  but 
could  not  attract  their  attention.  I  shot  through  the 
window  with  my  revolver.     No  one  heeded. 

Thursday  the  young  lady  came  at  four  o'clock  as 
agreed.  I  had  been  without  food,  water  or  any  attention 
since  the  previous  Monday  at  6  o'clock.  People  thought 
I  had  left  town.  If  I  could  have  walked  or  crawled, 
don't  you  believe  I  would  have  done  so  at  this  time? 

Another  time  I  went  from  St.  Louis  to  Fort  "Worth, 
arriving  Friday  night.  Hired  two  boys  to  attend  me. 
They  were  "Pals" — one  would  not  work  unless  the  other 
did.  They  agreed  to  come  the  following  morning  or  I 
would  not  have  let  them  take  me  in  off  the  street  but 
would  have  waited  until  I  could  hire  someone  who  would 
attend  to  me.  They  went  fishing  instead  and  forgot  me. 
The  room  was  farthest  back.  People  could  be  heard  go- 
ing up  and  down  stairs.  My  heart  was  bad.  I  could 
not  call  very  loud.    No  one  heard. 

In  the  middle  of  the  room  was  a  table  on  which  had 
been  placed  a  basket  of  food  bought  Friday  before  I 
came  in.  There  was  also  a  pitcher  of  water.  It  was 
Tuesday  morning  before  the  boys  recollected  and  came 
to  me.  The  food  and  water  were  untouched.  Why? 
Because  I  cannot  walk  or  sit  on  any  occasion. 

It  should  be  plain  to  any  fair-minded  person  that  I 
have  not  laid  down  and  allowed  this  trouble  to  possess 
me.  I  have  fought  it  hard,  and  fight  hard  every  day. 
Helplessness  can  develop  from  disuse.  Therefore,  the 
fact  that  I  can  do  at  the  present  anything  I  ever  did  do, 
should  be  proof  positive  that  I  am  not  a  coward  nor  a 
man  who  shirks  his  duties  or  responsibilities  in  life.  I 
never  allow  anyone  to  do  for  me  anything  I  can  do  for 
myself.     Instead   of  having  lost  confidence  in   myself,  I 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  83 

am  about  the  proudest,  most  coneeited,  independent, 
.self-reliant  customer  you  ever  did  see.  I  just  think  that 
I  can  do  everything  a  little  better  than  anybody  else. 
I  resent  assistance  when  I  can  dispense  with  it,  and  al- 
most "bust"  a  puckering  string  to  hurry  up  and  finish 
a  stunt  when  1  see  that  somebody  is  going  to  come  along 
and  offer  to  help  me  do  it. 

By  resting  two  or  three  weeks  previous  and  being 
willing  to  suffer  and  wait  until  the  price  is  paid  for 
from  one  week  to  three  months  afterward,  I  can  give  a 
song  and  piano  recital  from  flat  of  my  back,  that  Avill  put 
the  best  musician  in  your  city  on  his  mettle  to  duplicate. 
Being  unable  to  use  my  eyes,  and  having  no  piano  with 
me,  I  compose  music,  delivering  the  dictation  to  an 
uninitiated  amanuensis.  There  are  few  composers  who 
can  do  such  as  this. 

A  baby  can  exercise  to  a  point  of  weariness  and  in- 
ability to  repeat  for  the  moment,  in  perfect  safety.  He 
can  go  until  he  falls  down  and  then  get  up  and  go  again 
without  risk.  There  is  no  over-draught  possible  because 
he  is  guided  wholly  by  natural  instinct  and  the  will  does 
not  force  the  body  to  spend  beyond  its  capacity.  He 
behaves  according  to  his  feelings.  He  is  natural.  If  he 
is  sleepy,  he  sleeps.  If  hungry  he  cries  until  he  gets  hi' 
"dinner."  If  he  feels  full  of  energy  he  wiggles  an  I 
twists  and  kicks  and  tugs  and  crawls  and  walks  or  runs 
When  he  is  wreary  he  rests.  The  will  does  not  interfere 
to  cause  him  to  harm  himself  by  over-exertion. 

This  is  true  because  vitality  is  in  the  ascendency. 
The  functional  processes  are  capable  of  handling  the 
waste  and  repair — life  is  in  preponderance.  His  bodily 
diathesis  is  building — "going  up." 

When  a  man  is  in  the  midst  of  typhoid  or  the  col- 
lapse of  Asiatic  cholera  or  other  disease,  he  does  not 
have  the  same  experience  because  his  diathesis  is  oppo- 
site— his  vitality  is  in  the  descendancy — the  death-process 
is  predominant — the  direction  he  is  travelling  is  "going 
down."  His  recuperative  powers  and  resistance  are  re- 
duced. Recuperation  is  normal  only  when  the  vital  pro- 
cesses are  normal. 

If  a  man  had  both  his  legs  crushed  and  his  ribs 
broken, •  a  condition  might  be  present  which  would 
necessitate  his  being  in  bed  prostrate  and  still  for  a  year. 
His  circulation  might  become  so  accustomed  to  that  posi- 
tion that  it  would  be  unable  to  accommodate  itself  to 


84  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

any  other.  He  might  have  to  resort  to  passive  measures 
to  get  able  to  sit  up  again.  It  might  be  necessary  to  ele- 
vate him  for  a  short  time  every  day,  only  an  inch  or  less, 
gradually  increasing  as  his  circulation  became  accus- 
tomed to  the  demands  of  the  changed  position. 

But  when  the  cause  of  the  prostrate  position  lay  in 
the  circulation  and  that  largely  influenced  by  nervous 
and  organic  complications,  the  experience  could  not  be 
the  same  because  the  cause  has  not  been  removed. 

Many  persons  who  are  considered  "tender  hearted" 
are  merely  out  of  nervous  balance.  Their  tears  and 
thrills  are  not  the  result  of  a  higher  organism  but  of 
debility.  We  should  not  be  too  easily  excited  to  appear- 
ances of  strong  emotion.  Persons  who  lack  poise  are 
mentally  or  nervously  sick.  The  maudlin  drunk  furnishes 
an  instance  of  disturbed  poise. 

The  vitality  and  functional  processes  are  not  under 
the  control  of  the  will.  When  a  person's  heart  is  already 
weak  and  excessively  irritable  when  there  is  a  lack  of 
normal  control  on  the  part  of  the  nervous  system  then 
emotion  (fear,  anger,  jealousy,  grief,  self-pity,  pseudo- 
sympathy),  will  often  give  rise  to  erratic,  stimulated  or 
depressed  pulsations.  Thus  the  mental  state  is  seen  to 
prove  an  exciting  cause  of  abnormal  heart  action.  There 
are  a  few  instances  of  persons  who  learned  how  to  control 
the  heart  action — augment  or  diminish  the  rate  of  speed 
a  few  degrees  at  will.  But  there  is  no  valid  reason  why 
the  will  should  control  the  heart  any  more  than  it  should 
control  secretions,  paristalsis,  or  the  growth  of  the  finger 
nails.  Some  men  can  wiggle  their  ears,  but  that  does  not 
prove  them  of  the  genus  donkey. 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Repelling  Repeated  Charges. 

EVERY  competent,  up-to-date  physician  has  the, 
materia  medica.  There  is  no  one  man  who  has 
any  more  than  any  other.  The  remedies  which 
have  been  applied  in  my  case  and  the  nicety  of  adminis- 
tration prove  that  the  physicians  who  have  treated  me 
have  made  proper  selection  of  remedies  and  have  exer- 
cised good  judgment  as  to  dosage.  Their  work  is  not  to 
be  improved  upon.  It  is  not  likely  that  any  one  man 
knows  so  much  more  than  all  these  able  men  who  have 
treated  me,  as  would  make  him  able  to  accomplish  any- 
thing very  remarkable  in  my  case. 

I  have  had  scientifically  applied  Electricity,  static, 
faradic,  galvanic  and  Magnetic,  and  Oxypathy  as  well. 
I  have  had  Chiropractic,  Naprapathy,  Vibratory  treat- 
ment, and  Osteopathy.  I  have  also  had  Massage,  scientific 
Dieto-therapy,  Hydro-therapy,  Animal-therapy,  Mechano- 
therapy, Suggestive  Therapeutics,  Christian  Science, 
Mental  Science,  Spiritualistic,  Magnetic  and  Divine  Heal- 
ing. 

I  have  been  tackled  on  the  street,  had  my  time 
taken  up — time  that  I  needed  for  earning  bread  and  but- 
ter— and  have  been  detained  anywhere  from  fifteen  min- 
utes to  three  hours  by  good  people  who  side  with  some 
departure  from  established  methods  and  who  are,  no 
doubt,  philanthropic  in  their  intentions.  But  my  posi- 
tion is  that  if  you  have  found  something  which  meets 
your  need,  and  is  a  means  of  restoration  to  you,  I  re- 
joice with  you,  but  that  does  not  prove  it  is  the  thing 
for  me,  so  do  not  bore  me  with  it. 

It  is  undoubtedly  true  that  if  a  person  is  born  into 
the  world  and  brought  up  in  such  an  atmosphere  and 
thoroughly  saturated  with  the  teachings  of  any  sect, 
they  no  doubt  can  be  brought  to  believe  thai  what  they 
have  heard  is  the  truth,  and  contrary  opinions  are  all 
wrong. 

The  history  of  the  world  shows  countless  instances 
of  a  person  or  a  people,  being  convinced  of  i,he  truth  of  a 
theorem  which  later  generations  have  proven  to  he  false. 


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ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  87 

Not  being  insane,  I  do  not  feel  that  I  am  competent 
to  solve  the  world's  problems.  But  fortunately  or  un- 
fortunately, 1  have  investigated  more  than  one  system 
of  healing,  religion  and  philosophy;  and  while  I  do  not 
feel  that  I  have  been  enabled  to  study  these  things  suf- 
ficiently to  warrant  me  in  taking  Gibraltar  position 
against  the  world  I  do  feel  that  it  is  allowable  for  me  to 

say: 

I  believe  that  man  was  created  to  be  a  spectator  of 
the  handiwork,  wisdom  and  beneficence  of  the  Creator. 
I  believe  that  we  are  placed  on  this  earth  to  get  exper- 
ience and  be  tried  and  be  given  a  germ  or  talent  thai  we 
may  grow,  and  exercising  our  free  will  prove  to  the  uni- 
verse that  good  is  better  than  evil,  and  our  appreciation 
of  the  good  is  why  we  endeavor  to  eschew  and  over- 
come evil.  The  man  who  has  little  exercise  will  never 
become  a  giant  in  strength;  the  man  that  has  no  prob- 
lems to  solve,  no  difficulties  to  overcome,  will  scarcely 
develop  the  admirable  qualities  of  the  great  soul  which 
surmounts  seemingly  insurmountable  difficulties.  The 
man  Avho  has  seen  the  horror  and  known  tin-  a w fulness, 
the  weariness  of  warfare,  can  appreciate  peace.  The 
soul  that  has  known  storm  will  appreciate  shelter.  Tin- 
weary  can  know  the  sweetness  of  rest. 

If  we  were  left  in  a  sunny  land  and  were  fed  on 
manna  from  heaven,  were  not  subject  to  heat  or  cold  and 
consequently  had  no  need  to  make  provision  against 
them,  we  would  certainly  become  just  like  other  peoples 
who  have  been  thus  situated — life  retaining  nothings. 
People  too  often  forget  to  rejoice  because  of  the  evil 
which  they  escape — fretting  themselves  at  the  lack  of 
possession  of  something  which  they  esteem  as  good.  The 
man  from  whom  severe  pain  has  just  departed  will  be 
more  easy  of  persuasion  that  it  is  good  to  be  free  of 
pain  than  the  one  who  has  never  known  pain.  If  we  had 
too  easy  a  time  in  this  world  we  would  desire  no  better. 
I  am  quite  partial  to  the  opinions  expressed  by  thai  greai 
thinker,  John  Fiske,  and  he  says  that  evil  and  labor,  etc.. 
are  part  of  the  creation.  Unquestionably,  many  things 
have  their  power  and  beauty  through  comparison,  and 
if  Ave  realize  evil  is  bad  we  ought  surely  to  choose  the 
good,  which  is  God. 

Many  people  have  been  good  enough  to  say  that  my 
life  is  a  living  example  of  what  I  feel  along  these  lines. 
I  am  rejoiced  if  such  is  the  case.     As  I  study  humanity 


88  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

I  perceive  that  too  many  are  living  under  the  curse  of 
indolence.  Many  appear  to  think  labor  beneath  their 
dignity.  Many  are  ashamed  of  their  work  and  the  nec- 
essity to  work.  Every  one  seems  to  be  searching  for 
some  graft,  some  sly  system  that  will  remove  the  nec- 
essity to  earn  daily  bread  by  the  sweat  of  their  brow. 

Too  many  would  rather  be  idle  and  suffer  for  the 
necessities  of  life  than  do  other  than  follow  their  chosen 
trade.  They  will  consent  to  do  things  that  are  wrong  if 
there  is  money  to  be  made  thereby,  rather  than  change 
their  occupation  or  do  work  that  is  not  up  to  their  idea 
of  genteel-ness.  I  am  glad  that  I  am  possessed  of  a 
spirit  that  enables  me  to  adapt  myself  to  the  needs  of  the 
hour. 

Regarding  the  maintenance  or  achievement  of 
health,  it  should  not  be  forgotten  that  all  that  can  be 
done  is  to  endeavor  to  secure  functional  integrity — ren- 
dering normal  the  functional  processes  upon  which  life 
depends — which  bring  about  active  metabolism ;  by  cor- 
recting perverse  diathesis ;  by  removing  anatomical  or 
mechanical  obstacles  to  healthy  bodily  conditions;  by  the 
correction  of  unhygienic  or  unnatural  habits  of  life — 
that  is,  excessive  labor  or  frolics,  lack  of  proper  rest,  or 
excessive  indulgences  of  any  sort — and  by  the  removal 
or  resolution  of  mental  disturbances  such  as  fear,  worry, 
grief,  jealousy,  hate,  anger,  and  the  establishment  of 
self-control  and  normal  equilibrium. 

But  here  is  the  proposition :  Earnest  endeavor  will 
not  guarantee  successful  sequence.  The  cause  of  failure 
does  not  mitigate  the  result.  Over-estimation  of  resource 
or  endurance  will  not  side-track  the  resulting  bankruptcy. 
"When  nature  proves  unable  to  meet  the  demands  of  life, 
a  natural  collapse  occurs.  Reliable  tonics  may  then  be 
applied  resulting  in  ready  improvement.  But  when  cir- 
cumstances arise  in  the  life  of  the  patient  before  former 
fair  state  of  health  has  been  restored,  which  results  in  a 
second  collapse,  the  situation  is  not  so  easy.  Treatment 
that  is  good  for  beasts  may  sometimes  be  good  for  men. 
It  is  best  to  keep  a  horse  on  his  feet.  So  with  a  man. 
Then  apply  larger  doses  of  the  tonics  and  stimulants, 
and  try  to  keep  him  going.  Now  let  further  combination 
of  adverse  circumstances  arise  in  the  life  of  the  patient 
resulting  in  a  third  collapse.  Question — What  has  doctor 
or  patient  left  to  do?  Surely  the  vitality — the  brain, 
spinal  cord  and  nerve  centers — have  been  taxed  to  such 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  89 

an  extent  that  had  it  not  been  for.  certain  favorable 
details,  death  must  surely  have  resulted.  A  strong  de- 
sire to  live,  a  disposition  to  make  the  best  of  the  present 
possessions,  determined  fostering  of  the  leaven  of  life 
;i  temperate,  hygienic  habit  of  life  counts  for  something 
in  such  crises.  For  in  this  life  there  may  arise  circum- 
stances— financial,  social,  environmental — which  are  in- 
deed beyond  human  control. 

A  pound  of  salts  injected  into  the  bowels  of  a  dead 
man  would  have  absolutely  no  effect.  It  is  the  life  in 
the  body  which  must  do  the  work,  and  without  it  no 
doctor  or  medicine  or  system  of  treatment  can  be  suc- 
cessful. 

The  heart  specialist  evolves  a  convincing  theory  that 
all  my  trouble  is  due  to  the  heart  and  circulation.  A 
bowel  specialist  will  prove  to  your  satisfaction  that  ;ill 
my  troubles  are  due  to  the  bowels,  and  a  kidney  special- 
ist will  smile  indulgently  and  show  you  how  both  the 
other  fellows  are  wrong  and  that  all  the  trouble  is  due 
to  the  kidneys,  and  a  nerve  specialist  sniffs  disgustedly 
and  declares  they  are  all  wrong  and  these  troubles  are 
due  entirely  to  the  nervous  system.  And  so,  friends,  I 
guess  it  really  is  a  case  of  trust  in  God  and  face  the 
present  and  future  like  a  man;  and  that  is  what  I  am 
trying  to  do. 

I  have  said  my  trouble  is  partly  due  to  overwork. 
I  have  met  people  who  complained  of  being  overworked, 
and  yet  when  I  became  intimately  acquainted  with  them 
and  saw  their  lives,  I  have  been  able  to  see  that  they 
really  have  a  great  deal  of  leisure.  They  waste  and 
unnecessarily  sacrifice  a  great  deal  of  time,  which  could 
be  utilized  to  good  advantage.  With  proper  planning 
they  could  easily  avoid  working  late  nights,  and  on  holi- 
days, and  would  have  plenty  of  time  in  which  to  partake 
of  necessary  nourishment.  When  a  man  says  he  "does 
not  gel  time  to  eat"  he  usually  means  that  he  has  failed 
to  plan,  and  that  as  a  natural  result,  his  work  is  crowd- 
ing him. 

And  so  I  want  to  make  it  very  plain  that  when  I  say 
overworked  1  mean  being  as  busy  every  minute  as  a  race 
horse  ou  the  home  stretch— just  going  it  for  all  that's 
in  one,  from  early  morning  till  late  at  night.  I  can  never 
bring  myself  to  believe  that  if  a  man  lias  a  pile  of  wood 
which  he  would  like  sawed.  God  will  saw  it  for  him.  By 
this  1    mean   to  signalize  that  there  are   certain   natural 


90 


AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 


laws  which  the  all-wise  Creator  set  in  operation  in  the 
beginning,  and  these  laws  must  obtain  so  long  as  this 
blessed  universe  holds  together. 

I  believe  that  there  is  just  as  much  life  in  the  uni- 
verse as  there  ever  was,  that  God  is  knowledge  and  by 
knowledge  created  all  things,  and  did  not  make  some- 
thing out  of  nothing,  nor  would  He  make  nothing  out  of 
something. 

Furthermore,  when  I  die,  my  spirit  "will  return  to 
the  God  who  gave  it,"  and  I  do  not  believe  that  my  ex- 
istence on  this  mundane  sphere  is  so  important  to  the 
fulfillment  of  the  divine  plan  that  the  work  which  I 
would  do  in  health  cannot  possibly  be  done  by  someone 
else.  And  whether  I  die  matters  not,  for  God  has  lost 
nothing,  and  His  kingdom  will  move  and  His  church  pro- 
gress whether  or  not  I  am  able  to  join  in  the  work. 

I  do  not  believe  that  affliction  comes  from  God  neces- 
sarily. I  believe  that  human  beings  were  created  to  be 
spectators  of  His  handiwork  and  wisdom  and  beneficence ; 
and  our  sojourn  in  this  world  for  three  score  years  and 
ten  is  so  that  we  may  obtain  experience  and  have  a  school- 
ing and  be  tried,  and  that  is  why  He  permits  adverse 
things  to  be. 

I  think  for  one  to  lean  on  faith  and  a  belief  that 
God  will  supply  physical  force  is  a  tempting  of  the 
"Lord  thy  God,"  and  leads  to  a  perverted  attitude  to- 
ward the  Deity. 

I  think  that  one  reason  different  "Sciences"  have 
had  success  is  due  not  so  much  to  their  potency,  as  to  the 
change  they  make  in  the  individual.  I  think  in  the  ma- 
jority of  cases  sickness  is  the  result  of  bad  living,  excess 
in  some  form  or  other,  and  lack  of  good  judgment,  of 
climatic  influences  and  of  fear,  anger  and  worry. 

I  am  often  asked  if  I  ever  expect  to  get  well.  In  re- 
ply I  would  say  that  I  think  that  the  important  thing 
for  me  to  do  is  to  be  a  man.  If  I  do  get  well,  I  will 
rejoice  and  will  try  to  be  a  man.  If  I  remain  as  I  am, 
I  will  strive  to  be  content  and  I  will  strive  to  be  a  man. 
If  I  die,  I  will  endeavor  to  accept  death  as  becomes  a 
man. 

Doubtless  the  less  our  opportunity  the  less  our  re- 
sponsibility. The  man  with  two  talents  has  less  to  ac- 
count for  than  the  man  with  ten. 

The  man  who  has  only  man  enough  in  him  to  be  able 
to  take  the  easy  part  of  life,  the  sunshiny  weather  and 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  91 

his  best  clothes,  is  hardly  an  ideal  man,  and  in  my 
opinion,  one  should  aim  to  have  "a  heart  for  any  fate," 
and  to  be  ready  to  partake  of  ease  and  luxury  temper- 
ately, or  to  take  of  labor  and  the  clouds  and  the  stormy 
times  and  privations  with  humility  and  grace. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

More  Entrenchments — "Man  is  Born  to  Trouble  as  the 
Sparks  Fly  Upward." 

ONE  of  the  several  hob-goblins  which  this  child  of 
trouble  would  flee  is  the  man  who  conceitedly  an- 
nounces: "I  can  cure  Fuller."  He  may  be  sincere 
in  his  belief,  but  his  belief  is  usually  founded  upon  some- 
thing which  has  enthused  him  to  mania  and  over-confi- 
dence. The  sane,  conservative  man  does  not  KNOW  what 
he  can  do  until  he  tries,  recognizing  in  each  new  cast'  a 
proposition  possibly  differing  more  or  less  from  similar 
ones  of  apparently  identical  aspect.  I  do  not  believe  there 
ever  was  a  case  like  mine.  But  if  there  have  been  thou- 
sands upon  thousands,  could  the  most  successful  healer 
honestly  say  that  he  had  never  failed?  I  fancy  not.  [Mor- 
tal man  has  not  yet  reached  such  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion as  admits  of  infallibility.  The  wise  contestant  is  the 
one  who  does  his  crowing  AFTER  the  victory  is  Avon. 

Therefore,  to  any  doctor,  healer,  scientist,  or  fool 
who  will  undertake  to  prove  that  I  am  deceived  about 
my  condition — self-hypnotized — or  that  I  am  a  fake  and 
am  making  game  of  the  public,  he  can  have  $1,000,  on 
presentation  of  substantial  proof  of  his  success;  provid- 
ed that  if  he  fails  he  will  pay  me  the  saint1  amount  and 
all  expenses,  when  he  has  had  sufficient  time  to  see 
plainly  who  is  the  chump.  In  other  words,  I  have  found 
a  man  who  believes  in  me  and  my  judgment  $1,000 
worth.  It  must  be  a  pretty  poor  sort  of  knocker  who 
has  not  as  much  faith  in  his  insulting  expressions  of  self- 
conceit. 

In  looking  for  material  wherewith  to  reinforce  their 
armamentarium,  doctors  easily  become  prey  to  different 
fads.  One  of  the  most  insinuating  is  "suggestion,"  and 
•■hypnotism. "'  Many  doctors  boast  that  they  hypnotize 
all  their  patients.     The  bad  feature  of  such  treatment  is 


92  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

that  if  a  patient  becomes  susceptible  to  the  doctor's  sug- 
gestions and  influence,  they  will  also  become  prey  to 
others.  I  am  glad  to  realize  that  I  am  not  dominated  by 
anyone  else's  mind.  To  submit  to  hypnotism  means  to 
allow  someone  else  to  come  into  your  body  and  mind  and 
operate  them  for  you.  In  short  you  are  not  you  but  the 
doctor  is  you  in  your  stead.  Well,  I  prefer  to  be  myself 
all  the  time  and  paddle  my  own  canoe.  If  I  cannot  live 
and  be  myself,  I  would  rather  die  than  be  persuaded  into 
allowing  anyone  else  to  set  aside  my  own  individuality 
and  personality. 

I  once  heard  a  doctor  say  of  a  typical  locomotor 
ataxia  or  multiple  sclerosis  case:  "In  my  opinion,  his 
inability  is  due  to  self-hypnotism  and  wrong  sugges- 
tion. His  trouble  is  in  his  mind — his  imagination." 
(No,  friend — he  was  not  speaking  of  me.  He  appeared 
to  think  me  strong-minded  and  plucky.)  But  he  or 
some  other  gloryseeker  might  say  equivalent  of  me. 
So  I  want  you  to  know  that  the  best  authorities  point 
out  that  it  is  characteristic  of  locomotor  ataxia  that  the 
patient  can  walk  all  right  as  long  as  he  can  see  his  feet. 
That  although  his  knees  may  bend  the  wrong  way  when 
he  attempts  to  walk,  if  he  is  allowed  to  sit  in  a  chair 
and  extend  one  leg  at  a  time,  he  is  found  to  possess  as 
much  muscular  strength  as  a  normal  man.  Further- 
more it  does  not  always  follow  that  a  person  afflicted 
with  a  neurosis  becomes  pale  and  thin.  On  the  contrary 
they  often  take  on  fat  after  they  have  ceased  to  be  able 
to  walk  and  attend  usual  duties.  At  416  S.  Alamo 
Street,  San  Antonio,  you  will  find  a  man  who  has  been 
bed-fast  18  years  who  weighs  as  much  now  as  he  did  the 
day  he  had  to  quit  running  a  locomotive — about  200 
pounds.  I  saw  as  fine  a  specimen  of  manhood  as  one 
would  wish  to  see,  in  the  Alexian  Brother's  Hospital, 
Chicago,  who  was  afflicted  with  locomotor  ataxia,  whose 
red  cheeks  and  sparkling  eyes  made  him  look  as  healthy 
as  any  man  you  ever  saw. 

It  should  therefore  be  clear  from  the  foregoing,  that 
muscularity  flesh  and  ruddiness  do  not  guarantee  nerv- 
ous health  and  power.  Therefore  my  claims  should  not 
seem  strange  or  peculiar. 

And  so  I  will  say  that  if  any  person  really  thinks 
that  his  mentality  is  the  only  extraordinary  thing  in  the 
universe,  let  him  come  and  LIVE  WITH  ME — and  I 
will  show  him  that  there  are  actually  some  other  things. 


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94  AN  ODD  SOLDIERY 

Among  them,  the  incapacitating  and  foilsome  disease 
which  has  for  some  years  past,  laid  me  open  to  various 
sorts  of  misjudgment  and  erroneous  pre-supositions,  not 
to  mention  frequent  indelicate  inquiry  into  matters  which 
should  be  none  of  the  questioner's  business. 

Come,  I  say,  and  live  with  me,  and  I  will  instruct 
orally,  and  by  practical  personal  illustration,  what 
'"initiative/'  energy,  "git,"  ambition,  will-power,  inde- 
pendence, patience,  persistence,  self-reliance,  mean — and 
how  that  the  absence  of  morbid  fear,  presence  of  coolness 
and  a  degree  of  imperturbability,  as  well  as  sane  judg- 
ment, makes  even  the  storms  of  every-day  life,  and  the 
machinations  of  hateful  spirited  men,  weatherable,  and 
can  enable  a  man  to  keep  fairly  cheerful. 

Come,  I  say,  and  live  with  me,  and  I  will  prove  to 
you  that  I  am  no  relation  to  the  unfortunates  who  feel 
that  their  griefs  are  the  saddest,  their  burdens  the  heav- 
iest,-their  pains  the  cru'elestV .  their  problems  the  most 
overwhelming.  The  past  achievements  are  grandly  all- 
sufficient,,  and  that  now  it  is  time  to  fold  the  hands  to 
rest,  and'let  the  public  look  on  in  awesome  admiration, 
and  shell  the  corn. 

I  know  what  I  know  and  am  pleased  to  have  others 
enjoy  the  same  privilege.  But  let's  talk  sane,  manly, 
helpful  talk  or  let's  keep  still. 

There  are  people  who  always  expect  a  sunny  smile 
and  a  long  and  interesting  conversation  to  be  chiefly 
carried  on  by  the  benefited.  Forgetting  that  time  is  the 
only  capital  I  have  and  circumstances  and  conditions 
frequently  develop  which  make  a  ready  smile  quite  as 
much  out  of  place  as  laughter  at  a  funeral  and  quite  as 
difficult  as  dancing  gracefully  when  one  has  tight  shoes 
and  a  bad  set  of  corns. 

Sometimes  three  or  four  men  pass  my  cot -wagon 
on  the  street,  chatting  gayly.  I  accost  them  with  my 
usual  call,  "Buy  something?"  They  look  at  me,  grin 
and  make  remarks  among  themselves  which  evidently 
amuse  them  greatly.  Sometimes  I  overhear  them  com- 
menting upon  my  good  color,  saying,  'Pretty  healthy 
looking  corpse,  ain't  he?"  Perhaps  another  replies — 
"That's  the  best  graft  I  ever  saw — that's  a  new  one  on 
me.  That's  pretty  soft."  And  another  of  their  party 
may  add.  '-11  takes  a  good  fake  to  get  the  big  money." 

I  cannot  say  but  that  I  resent  such  things.  In  fact 
I  used  to  feel  a  little  hurt  or  as  if  there  was  a  possible 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  95 

sly  insult  behind  it,  everj  time  anyone  said,  "Well  you 
certainly  look  well  to  be  lying  there  that  way."  But 
recently  in  my  travels  I   happened   upon  ;i   home  where 

death  had  made  a  visitation,  and  sinee  then  1  have  not 
cared  so  much.     This  is  why: 

About  eight  years  previous  a  pretty  English  girl  had 
come  to  this  city  from  across  the  ocean  to  visit  her 
brother  who  had  recently  married.  A  good  looking 
American  mechanic  who  worked  along  side  of  her 
brother  was  a  frequent  visitor  and  met  the  young  lady 
at  her  brother's  house.  When  it  became  time  for  her  to 
return  to  England  she  married  her  brother's  friend  in- 
stead. 

In  course  of  time  a  son  was  born  to  them,  and  later 
a  daughter.  JJoth  were  very  dear  to  the  parents.  When 
the  boy  was  ten,  the  mother  received  news  that  a  small 
piece  of  money  had  been  left  her  througli  the  decease  of 
her  uncle,  and  she  was  required  to  pay  a  visit  to  her  old 
home.  Accordingly  it  was  arranged  that  she  make  a 
trip  to  England. 

For  reasons  which  need  not  be  explained  here,  it 
was  decided  that  the  mother  should  take  the  son  with 
her  and  the  father  was  to  retain  the  little  daughter,  now 
eight  years  old.  The  mother  had  not  been  away  a  week 
before  the  daughter  was  stricken.  It  was  impossible  to 
bring  the  mother  hack  at  once,  and  the  doctor  thought 
it  unnecessary. 

I  jit  tie  Myrtle  was  a  beautiful  child  and  was  pos- 
sessed of  a  lovely  disposition.  After  several  weeks  of 
suffering,  she  died.  The  mother  had  been  notified  and 
was  already  on  the  way  home.  The  funeral  was  defer- 
red until  her  arrival.  The  evening  she  returned,  some 
friends  of  the  neighbors  came  to  see  the  remains.  The 
mother  was  sobbing  out  her  heart's  grief  in  the  next 
room.  The  undertaker  had  tried  to  fix  up  the  child's 
countenance  so  as  to  look  as  nearly  natural  as  possible, 
as  is  the  custom  t  hese  days. 

One  of  those  viewing  the  remains  said: 

•Doesn't  she  make  a  lovely  corpse.'     She  Looks  per- 
fectly natural.      Why   I   don't   believe  she  is  <\rn<\  ,-it   all 

looks    just    as   if   she    were    Only    asleep." 

She  had  been  dead  three  days.  The  mother  heard. 
How  her  heart  must  have  ached.  She  rushed  into  the 
room  and  clasped  the  inanimate  body  to  her  lu-east.  Bui 
the  poor  child   was  dead.     ^^\A  how  thoughtless  people 


96  AN  ODD  SOLDIERY 

can  be.  But  I  never  feel  any  hurt  at  such  remarks  any 
more  since  witnessing  this  example  of  cheap  talk. 

I  also  saw  with  my  own  eyes  a  sweet  young  woman 
of  whom  people  commented,  "How  well  she  looks,"  even 
up  to  three  hours  prior  to  her  death.  Her  afflictions  were 
regarded  as  imaginary  and  hysterical.  It  took  her  death 
to  furnish  vindication.  Her  afflictions  were  nerves  and 
heart.  Reputable  doctors  declared  she  had  no  organic 
disease  a  short  time  before  she  died. 

Often  some  person  in  a  spirit  of  kindness  tells  me  of 
some  unfortunate  soul  who  is  in  a  worse  condition  than 
myself.  Their  remarks  usually  conclude  with :  "It 
ought  to  be  a  great  comfort  to  a  man  in  your  fix  to 
realize  that  you  are  not  the  only  one  who  is  afflicted. 
There  is  no  fix  so  bad  but  that  it  might  be  worse." 

Fudge !  What  honor  would  it  be  to  have  it  freely 
admitted  that  one  were  the  most  horribly  afflicted  human 
that  ever  lived?  I  am  glad  for  any  one  who  can  find 
comfort  in  such  negative  reflections.  But  as  for  me,  to 
know  that  there  are  thousands  starving  in  India  will 
not  relieve  my  necessity,  nor  will  knowing  that  others 
have  fought  and  failed,  reconcile  me  to  accept  defeat. 

My  rightful  heritage  is  for  health,  happiness,  liberty 
and  success,  and  if  any  man  is  fool  enough  to  lie  down 
and  let  his  rights  be  taken  away  from  him  because  others 
have  had  it  to  do,  he  is  a  bigger  chump  than  I  am — and 
I  did  think  that  I  was  about  the  biggest  mutton-head 
that  ever  loved  gentleness,  patience  and  self-abnegation 
to  such  an  extent  as  rendered  him  an  easy  mark  for  those 
who  profit  and  rejoice  at  a  brother's  loss,  downfall  or 
grief. 

God  is  good.  I  do  not  presume,  as  do  many,  to 
criticize  His  handiwork.  This  world  is  the  dandiest 
place  I  am  conscious  of  ever  having  gotten  into.  To  re- 
cite all  the  cases  I  would  not  wish  to  change  places  with, 
that  I  have  seen  with  my  own  eyes,  would  take  another 
volume  the  size  of  this  one.  But  that  does  not  mitigate 
my  handicaps  and  losses  and  crosses  entailed  because  of 
them. 

But  I  would  much  rather  realize  that  I  am  unable  to 
walk,  to  sit  up,  or  use  my  eyes,  than  to  realize  an  equiva- 
lent along  mental  or  spiritual  ways.  I  would  much 
rather  be  as  I  am  at  the  present  writing  than  I  would 
certain  states  I  have  been  in  during  the  past  fifteen 
years.     For  could  I  be  favored  by  good  water,  good  food, 


r* 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  97 

not  have  to  work  too  hard,  avoid  catching  cold  and  be- 
ing pestered  to  distress  by  the  skepticism  of  the  wise  and 
otherwise,  I   could  get  some  comfort   and  joy  out  of  life. 

The  point  is,  that  I  am  excessively  delicate  and  it 
seems  quite  impossible  to  keep  out  of  bad  spells  long. 
But  aside  from  all  else  I  do  so  love  independence  and 
long  to  indulge  in  the  activities  of  life  that  to  stay  within 
my  humble  limit  is  indeed  a  difficult  task. 

I  would  not  have  anyone  fancy  that  the  battle  of 
life  has  made  me  bitter  and  distrustful.  I  can  see  that 
I  have  lost  a  little  in  gentleness  and  delicacy  hut  I  have 
gained  in  firmness  and  disposition  to  apologize  a  little 
less  and  unmask  the  hypocrites  who  range  at  large  and 
stampede  many  by  fierce  might,  exercising  injustice  and 
tyranny  over  heart-broken  rabbits  who  can  only  run.  It 
is  an  unequal  fight.  There  is  no  chance  of  winning,  but 
perhaps  there  will  some  day  a  way  appear  that  will  de- 
liver me  from  some  phases  of  battle. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Shrapnel  Into  the  Enemy's  Camp. 

OX  Sunday,  Nov.  11th,  190!),  Rev.  George  I).  Har- 
ris, Rector  of  St.  Paul's  Episcopal  Church,  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  said  to  me: 

"I  recently  Avas  sent  a  report  from  a  meeting  of  an 
International  Association  of  Physicians  at  Philadelphia, 
wherein  was  given  a  list  of  over  two  hundred  new- 
diseases  which  were  brought  up  and  discussed  before 
this  medical  congress.  Not  a  one  of  them  was  in  the 
Medical  or  Standard  Dictionary.  There  are  new  things 
cropping  up  every  day.  What  is  accepted  as  the  best 
way  today  may  be  laid  aside  in  a  few  years  by  some- 
thing vastly  more  effective." 

A  medical  man  came  along  one  day  and  when  I 
told  him  of  the  many  diagnoses  that  had  been  made  in 
my  case  he  said:  •"Fifty  years  ago,  if  a  man  had  said 
something  about  an  ovarian  cyst,  or  appendicitis,  tin- 
most  up-to-date  medical  men  of  the  day  would  call  him 
down  as  a  rumpus  maker  and  no  one  would  have  known 
what   be  was  talking  about . " " 

.Millions  of  dollars  have  been  spent   recently  to  try  to 


98  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

discover  a  cure  for  the  "hook-worm  disease,"  the  prin- 
ciple symptom  of  which  seems  to  be  great  ennui  and  in- 
anition, indisposition  and  incapacity  for  exertion. 

In  Africa  there  are  many  deaths  from  the  "sleeping 
sickness.''  The  symptoms  appear  to  be  simply  excessive 
drowsiness,  which  increases  into  stupor  terminating  in 
sleep  which  continues  until  the  patient  dies  of  starvation 
and  lack  of  fluids. 

In  Houston  I  met  a  lady  who  said  she  was  thirty- 
five  years  old  and  had  never  known  a  sick  day  in  her 
life,  but  had  suddenly  gone  deaf  in  her  right  ear  and 
nearly  deaf  in  the  left.  She  had  been  a  housekeeper  in 
an  old  ladies'  home  and  with  the  exception  of  a  little 
trouble  had  had  no  strain  to  the  nervous  system.  But 
the  specialists  said  her  deafness  was  due  to  neurasthenia. 

All  these  things  being  true,  why  does  the  condition 
I  claim  to  be  in  seem  peculiar  or  mysterious  to  any  fair- 
minded  person? 

Many  people  suppose  that  it  is  very  easy  to  make  a 
living  with  affliction  as  a  magnet  whereby  to  draw  the 
attentions,  sympathies  and  purse-contents  of  the  public. 
Let  those  who  wish  to  be  fair  and  just  in  this  matter, 
consider  my  experiences  in  the  matter  of  making  a  living 
from  flat  of  my  back,  as  detailed  in  the  next  volume  of 
this  work,  entitled,  "Fifty  Thousand  Miles,  Back-Rid- 
den." 

If  I  prove  that  I  am  paralyzed,  why  should  that  be 
considered  vindicative?  If  you  will  look  around  you, 
you  will  see  more  than  one  man  filling  some  wage-earn- 
ing position  who  is  sure  enough  paralyzed.  If  I  pro- 
duce statements  to  the  effect  that  my  trouble  were  ossi- 
fication or  chalky  rheumatism,  what  would  that  be  to 
vindicate  me?  Do  you  not  know  of  some  man  who  is 
thus  afflicted  who  is  filling  some  wage-earning  position? 
I  have  met    several   in   my  wanderings. 

If  arrested  as  an  impostor,  as  some  skeptics  would 
be  ph-ascd  to  witness,  and  I  have  a  fair  trial  in  public 
court,  or  if  a  doctor  were  sent  to  "investigate"  my  case, 
what  would  be  the  result?  The  doctor  would  be  com- 
pelled to  ask  questions.  The  best  he  could  do  would  be 
to  state  his  personal  opinion  and  say  whether  or  not  I 
was  telling  the  truth.  Then  had  you  not  better  take  the 
information  first-handed  and  judge  for  yourself-  And  if 
by  any  chance  this  volume  falls  into  the  hands  of  any 
person  who  reads  it  considerately  and  he  judges  that  I 


"0 

> 
O 


2 

> 

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0 
0 

2 


100  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

am  fooled,  or  am  fooling  the  public,  I  beg  that  person 
to  come  to  me  and  get  the  purchase  price  back. 

Friend,  I  am  not  deceived  about  my  condition — nor 
am  I  deceiving  you.  I  have  asked  for  a  hearing,  and  if 
you  give  it  to  me  by  reading  this  book,  I  am  willing  to 
rest  on  your  verdict.  I  am  a  man — and  an  honest  one. 
I  write  books  for  a  living  and  all  questions  which  may 
properly  be  asked  of  me  are  answered  herein.  If  I  am 
questioned  further,  I  may  answer  in  such  a  way  as  will 
quickly  end  your  questioning.  I  am  not  on  the  streets 
to  satisfy  people's  awakened  curiosity,  but  to  make  a  liv- 
ing. I  formerly  tried  to  make  of  every  one  a  friend.  But 
experience  has  shown  that  emotion  prompts  many  peo- 
ple to  propose  things  they  will  fail  to  carry  out.  Few 
persons  are  really  capable  of  a  big,  honest,  noble,  un- 
selfish friendship.  I  am  only  a  passenger,  a  sojourner,  a 
traveller.  We  may  never  meet  again.  I  think  well  of 
those  who  assist  me  by  patronizing  me..  But  the  profit 
on  a  sale  is  not  sufficient  to  constitute'"1  a  permanent  en- 
dowment— I  must  keep  hammering  away,  and  sell  more, 
or  I  will  not  succeed  in  making  expenses.  If  I  lack  the 
cash  to  pay  my  way,  neither  your  conversation,  sym- 
pathy, or  my  grit,  will  avail. 

Therefore  I  cannot  afford  to  waste  time  by  visiting 
during  business  hours,  spent  upon  the  streets,  unless 
there  is  to  be  something  tangible  in  it — money  or  in- 
fluence. 

There  may  not  be  another  case  like  mine  in  the 
world.  That  does  not  make  my  condition  any  the  less 
dire.  If  medical  science  cannot  name  my  condition  as  I 
state  it  to  be,  the  limitation,  the  fault,  is  with  medical 
science  and  not  with  my  mind  or  representations. 

When  I  was  first  afflicted  I  had  occasional  attacks 
of  fever.  The  doctor  who  attended  me  said  it  was  "a 
touch  of  typhoid."  Another  time  he  said  I  had  "a  touch 
of  malaria."  At  the  last  attack  the  honest  M.  D.  who 
was  treating  me  said:  "This  is  a  rather  peculiar  case. 
True,  there  is  quite  a  bit  of  malaria  in  this  country,  but 
this  attack  has  occurred  in  such  a  manner  as  leads  me  to 
think  it  more  of  a  nervous  fever  than  malaria.  The 
vomiting,  purging,  severe  headache,  vertigo,  contraction 
of  muscles,  pain  along  the  spine,  rheumatic  condition, 
etc.,  might  be  accompaniments  of  either,  but  the  fever 
continuing  day  and  night  for  ten  weeks  with  only  a  few 
hours  of  sub-normal   temperature  allows  room  for  ques- 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  101 

tion.  However,  it"  it  is  not  malaria,  I  do  not  know  what 
it  is." 

The  spinal  specialists  say  it  was  spinal  this  last  time 
and  every  time  before.  I  do  not  know.  I  give  the  dor- 
tors'  opinions,  and  have  simply  to  say  for  myself  that  I 
am  really  afflicted  to  the  extent  that  J  cannot  walk,  sit, 
use  my  eyes,  nor  exert  in  any  way.  which  leaves  me  badly 
handicapped  in  the  battle  of  life. 

If  anv  skeptical  person  will  be  good  enough  to 
STOP  AND  THINK,  he  will  have  no  trouble  calling  to 
mind  some  person  out  of  some  family,  that  has  been 
fostered  under  the  same  roof,  with  the  same  diet  and 
advantages,  and  yet  is  much  weaker  than  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  family.  There  is  no  organic  disease,  but  the 
person  simply  is  not  as  hardy  as  the  others.  Admit  then, 
that  some  people  can  endure  more  than  others.  And 
then  explain  why  it  is  so  to  me?  Or  state  what  law  it  is 
governs  the  generation  of  life  or  force? 


c 


CHAPTER  XV. 

The  Enemy's  Woolwich  Gun  Silenced. 

ITY  authorities,  doctors,  and  mischief  makers,  are 
ready  to  thrill  over  anything  that  may  gain"  them 
credit  for  having  undone  a  clever  fake.'  But  I 
want  to  mention  that  I  for  one  of  perhaps  many  pestered 
and  persecuted  people,  want  to  say  tnat  there  are  vastly 
more  fakes  in  high  places  than  there  are  on  the  road,  in 
jail  or  purgatory.  If  I  were  a  fake — if  I  were  myself  de- 
ceived or  if  I  were  deceiving  the  public  regarding  my 
physical  and  financial  condition — I  would  not  be  as 
proper  a  cause  for  indignation. as  are  many  doctors,  law- 
yers, school  teachers,  ministers,  and  other  sorts  of  pro- 
fessional people,  more  especially  MUSICIANS.  And  say, 
will  you  kindly  tell  me.  what  do  Mayors  d<>  thai  proves 
them  superior  beings?  Why  will  men  forget  that  humil- 
ity, courtesy  and  consideration  of  those  less  fortunate 
than  themselves  are  graces  of  which  they  might  be  more 
justly  proud  than  of  the  office  and  authority  they  hold! 
Had  I  space  I  could  show  you  the  many  clever 
schemes  practiced  by  music  fakes.  But  I  may  only  add 
that   it   is  a   mistake  to  call   every  man  that    plays  traps 


til 

-J  .2 

3    c 

LL.      fC 

II 

I-    o 


c 
o 
U 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  103 

and  drums,  or  blows  a  horn,  or  saws  away  at  violin 
strings,  "a  musician."  To  be  properly  entitled  to  thai 
name,  a  persoD  should  be  competent  to  teach;  should 
know  something  <>1'  the  history  of  music;  should  be  able 
to  criticize  and  show  plainly  why  his  criticisms  arc  jusl  ; 
should  b.'  able  to  pick  a  musical  composition  to  pieces 
and  show  its  weak  points;  should  have  therefor.-  knowl- 
edge of  harmony  and  musical  construction;  should  have 
accurate  knowledge  of  musical  notation,  as  well  as  musi- 
cal terms,  and  should  be  able  to  perform  on  some  instru- 
ment in  such  manner  as  would  accomplish  the  expression 
and  excitation  of  feeling. 


It  is  almost  as  hard  to  obtain  recognition  as  to  qualify  for 
it.  An  artist's  reputation  is  usually  gained  quite  as  much 
through  skillful  engineering,  influence  and  the  power  of  money 
as  to  comprehend  instruction  and  apply  it.  It  means  the 
capacity  to  endure  drudgery  with  unlimited  patience  in  order 
to  achieve  an  ideal  along  the  chosen  line. 

Experience  counts  for  much.  Often  one  can  learn  more 
in  a  year's  practical  work,  teaching,  than  he  has  gained  in  five 
of  personal  study.  And  yet,  not  every  one  can  profit  by- 
teaching.  Too  often  it  is  merely  a  means  of  gathering  money. 
But  the  greatest  musicians  are  those  who  have  done  much 
with  little  help  from  great  instructors.  A  teacher  is  merely  a 
guide.  Much  must  be  worked  out  by  the  pupil  for  himself.  The 
greatest  gain  in  knowledge  and  ability  is  through  experience,  ob- 
servation, concentration,  and  the  ability  to  apply  to  advantage 
the  material  thus  accrued. 

The  author  enjoyed  the  instruction  of  many  masters  of 
unexcelled  ability.  By  nature  gifted  with  the  capacity  to 
learn.  Fourteen  years  of  hard  study — from  four  to  twelve 
hours  a  day,  must  bring  something  worth  while  as  a  natural 
result  of  effort  expended. 

A  teaching  and  concert  experience  of  five  years  is  not  com- 
paratively long.  And  yet  these  years  were  intensely  busy  years 
and  my  repertoire  is  excelled  by  few. 

Before  my  future  was  blighted  by  the  affliction  which  has 
kept  me  in  bondage  these  many  years,  I  had  a  choir  which 
numbered  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  voices.  I  also  had  a 
small  orchestra  of  sixteen  pieces,  directed  both  and  played 
the  pipe  organ  at  the  same  time. 

Very  often  local  musicians  are  loath  to  accord  credit 
due  a  stranger  for  fear  it  will  lessen  their  personal  standing  In 
that  locality  where  they  have  chosen  to  make  a  living  by  their 
art.  Such  persons  may  point  out  that  my  instrumental 
repertoire  is  not  large.  It  may  therefore  be  proper  to  say  in  thte 
regard  that  the  greatest  pianists  the  world  has  yet  seen  have  a 
repertoire  not  to  exceed  fifty  numbers.  Most  of  them  have  thirty 
or  less. 


104  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

Moszkowski  worked  over  five  years  on  one  of  his  own  com- 
positions (Waltz  in  E  Major)  before  he  considered  he  had  it 
sufficiently  under  command  to  render  it  in  public.  If  a  man  must 
work  so  hard  on  something  he  knew  so  well  how  it  should  be 
interpreted,  how  can  we  expect  one  to  master  many  composi- 
tions of  the  great  masters? 

In  most  Conservatories  of  Music,  the  medal  is  awarded  to  the 
pupil  who  renders  best,  some  certain  number.  The  awards  I 
received  were  for  the  uniform  excellent  rendition  of  hun- 
dreds of  numbers. 

In  the  capacity  of  soloist,  director,  piano  or  pipe  organ  ac- 
companist, I  can  claim  the  following: 

REPERTOIRE 

Few  pro- 
fessionals 
know  more 
than 

Oratorios  .......  65  5 

Such  authors  as  Mendelssohn,  Handel,  Hayden, 
Gaul,  Spohr,  Mercadante,  Stainer,  Rossini,  Mozart, 
Wagner,   etc. 

Operas,  Operetta,  Cantatas  ....  25  2 

such  authors  as  Balfe,  Donizetti,  Verdi,  Sullivan,     25  2 

Stainer,  Barnby,  Cowen,  Wagner,  Mendelssohn, 
Meyerbeer,  Gounod,  etc.,  etc. 

Festival  Masses  ......  15  3 

Such  authors  as  Mozart,  Gounod,  Eyre,  Gaul,  Goss, 
Stainer,  St.  Saens,  etc.,  etc. 

Anthems  .....  .  500       100 

Such  authors  as  Beethoven,  Schumann,  Schubert, 
Stainer,  Roberts,  Hall,  Woodward,  Shelley, 
Cruickshank,  Florio,  Pergolesi,  Elvey,  Tours, 
Schnacher,  Palestrini,  Tallis,  etc.,  etc. 

Magnificat,   Nunc  Dimitis,  Te  Deum,  etc.  100         25 

Such  authors  as  Mann,  Field,  West,   Smart,  Lut- 
\  km,  Buck,  etc.,  etc. 

Pipe  Organ  Concert  Solos  ....  100        60 

Such  authors  as  Wagner,  Beethoven,  Chopin, 
Schumann,  Schubert,  Bach,  Wely,  Batiste,  Dvorak, 
Dubois,  West,  Best,  Bartlett,  Lutkin,  Eddy,  Men- 
delssohn, Gounod,  Barnby,  Buck,  Guilmant,  etc., 
etc.,  etc. 

Piano  Recital  Number  ....  50        50 

Such  authors  as  Beethoven,  Mendelssohn,  Schu- 
mann, Schubert,  Chopin,  Bach,  Gounod,  Wagner, 
Mozart,  Handel,  Greig,  Chaminade,  Raff,  Liszt, 
Moszkowski,  Wollenhaupt,  Tausig,  etc.,  etc. 


.*  RTHUR  F.  FULLER  105 

Vocal  Solos,  Church  and  Concert  ...  500       100 

Such  authors  as  Schumann,  Schubert,  Mendel- 
ssohn, Hayden,  Handel,  Gounod,  Bishop,  Tschai- 
kowsky,  Stainer,  Marston,  Chadwick,  Bartless, 
Nevin,  Sullivan,  Molloy,  Millard,  Mascheroni, 
Bemberg,  Buck,  Smith,  Wagner,  Spohr,  Pinsuti, 
etc.,  etc. 

Vocal  Duetts  ......  15  5 

Such  authors  as  Glover,  Stainer,  Smart,  etc.,  etc. 


LIST  OF  GOOD  FOLKS  WHO  HAVE  HAD  TO  DO  WITH  l.iE 
MUSICAL  EDUCATION  OF  ARTHUR  F.  FULLER 

PIANO 

With  a  view  to  a  Concert  Pianist 
6  Months — Miss  Annie  Sherman. 
Park  Avenue,  near  Paulina  Street,  Chicago. 
14   Months — Miss  Matilda  Johnston. 

Diamond  Medallist,  with  Zeigfeld's  Chicago  Conservatory  of 
Music.     Central  Music  Hall,  Chicago. 

PIANO 
Accompanying  and  Teaching 

3  Years — Miss  Theodora  Sturkow. 

Professional  Accompanist;  Accompanist  to  Thomas  Or- 
chestra, Chicago,  396  La  Salle  Blv'd,  Chicago. 

PIANO 

As  Recitalist 

4  Years— Allen  H.  Spencer. 

Concert  Pianist,  Kimball  Hall,  Chicago;  on  Staff  of  American 
Conservatory  of  Music,  Chicago. 

SIGHT-READING,    DIRECTORSHIP,    INDIVIDUAL    AND    EN- 
SEMBLE, VOCAL  INSTRUCTING,  DISCIPLINE,  HISTORY 

6  Years — Wm.  Smedley. 

Veteran  Choirmaster  of  the  West;  educated  in  England, 
where  are  to  be  found  the  best  Vested  Choirs  in  the  World;  50 
years  practical  experience;  address  these  20  years,  Care  of  St. 
James  Church,  Chicago. 

2  years — J.  Franklin  Fuller. 

Tenor  soloist.  If  a  man's  ability  may  be  measured  by  his 
success,  it  will  suffice  to  say  that  he  was  invariably  successful  as 
an  organizer;  his  Mixed  Choirs,  and  Choral  Societies  "SUNG" 
and  behaved  faultlessly;  everything  was  effective  and  musicianly. 

2  Years — Fletcher  Hulet  Wheeler. 

Steinway  Hall.  Chicago. 

1  year — P.  C.  Lutkin. 

Dean  of  Music,  Northwestern  University,  Evanston,  Illinois. 
Director  of  the  Mendelssohn  Club,  (400  Voices)  Chicago. 


106  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

HARMONY 

Course — Allen  H.  Spencer. 
Kimball  Hall,  Chicago. 

Course — Hubbard  William  Harris. 

Composer:  Critic  for  Clayton  F.  Summy  Co.,  Chicago;  Staff 
Instructor  American  Conservatory  of  Music,  Kimball  Hall,  Chi- 
cago. 

PIPE  ORGAN 

Course — Peter  Christian  Lutkin,  A.  G.  O. 
Dean  of  Music,  Northwestern  University.     Church  and  Con- 
cert Organist. 

People  who  are  competent  to  judge  aver  that  had  I  re- 
tained or  regained  my  health,  no  position  in  this  country 
would  have  been  too  big  for  my  ability  to  meet  the  require- 
ments. I  was  offered  the  position  of  Choirmaster  and  Organist 
of  St.  James — the  largest  Parish  in  Chicago.  Prior  to  my 
affliction,  I  filled  positions  at  the  following  churches: 

St.   James   Protestant  Episcopal   Church,   Cass   and   Huron   Sts., 
Chicago. 

Eight  years,  Soloist.  One  year,  Assistant  Choirmaster.  Rec- 
tors:    Rev.  Dr.  John  Vibbert,  Rev.  Floyd  W.  Thompkins, 
Rev.  E.  J.  Hopkins,  Rev.  Dr.  James  S.  Stone. 

Holy  Nativity  Mission  Church       .       815  Grand  Avenue,  Chicago 
One  year  Organist  and  Choirmaster.  J.  J.   Smith,  Lay- 
reader. 

Onward  Presbyterian  Church,  Leavitt  and  Ohio  Streets,  Chicago. 
Two  years  Organist  and  Choirmaster.      (Mixed  Choir). 
Rev.  Phil  F.  Matzinger,  Pastor. 

St.   John's   Mission   Church,   Clybourne   Ave.,   near  Division   St. 
Chicago 
One  year,  Organist  and  Choirmaster.       (Mixed  Choir.) 
Rev.  Irving  Spencer,  Rev.  J.  M.  French,  Rectors. 

St.   John's   Reformed   Episcopal   Church,   37th    St.   and   Langley 
Avenue,  Chicago. 

Six  months  Organist.  Bishop  Cheney,  Rev.  E.  J.  Thomas, 
Rector. 

St    Paul's  Cathedral  .  .  .  Fond   du  Lac,  Wis. 

One  year  Choirmaster  and  Organist.  Rt.  Rev.  Charles 
Chapman  Grafton,  Bishop  and  Rector;  Rev.  Walter  G. 
Blossom,  Rev.  Selden  P.  Delany,  Asst.  Rectors;  Rev.  B. 
Talbot  Rogers,  Canon,  Rev.  James  Martin  Raker,  Cele- 
brant and  Warden  of  the  Choir  School. 

Cathedral  Choir  School  .  .  .  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis. 

One  year  Music  Master.  Rt.  Rev.  Charles  Chapman 
Grafton,  Dean.  Rev.  James  Martin  Raker,  warden.  John 
Richard  Ambrose,  Classical  Master.  R.  A.  K.  Rother- 
mel,  Mathematics  Instructor. 

St.  John's  Church  .  .  Kingston-on-the-Hudson,  N.  Y. 

One  Year,  Choirmaster  and  Organist.  Rev.  Octavius 
Applegate,  Jr.,  Rector. 

Holy  Cross  Church  .  .         Kingston-on-the-Hudson,  N.  Y. 

One  year,  Choirmaster.  Rev.  Charles  Mercer  Hall,  Rector. 


P?  TCB      C     L'.'THIN 

£  VAN  STOW     I  LL 

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Cathedral  Choir  School, 
Fond  du  Lac,  Wis. , 
Aug.  8,  1699, 


»  •  *  0  *   I  take  pleasure  in  commending  Mr.  Arthur  F. 
Fuller  tc  you  as  a  young  nan  of  excellent  character,  and  as 
a  good  organist  and  choirmaster. 

He  is  exnecially  go^d  in  the  training  of  boy ' s . voices , 
and  also  in  his  noral  influence  over  boys,  and  I  am  sure  that 
you  would  find  him  a  faithful  and  earnest  worker. 

Very  faithfully  yours, 
James  V. .  Raker. 


KaTHANISL  WOODSII'E  SaL1.AD£. 

At-tornsy  at  Law. 

MeK>«*A  *■■' " 

Fond  w  Lac. 
Wise 


For.d  du  Lac,    ■?iacon=-ln,    Augur. t   1?,    1899. 


To  whom  It  ray  cor.cerr. : 

It  gives  ne  great  pleasure  to  commend  to 
ycur  notice  Mr.  Arthur  Puller,  who  for  the  past  year 
has  occupied  tho  positions  of  Choir  Master  and  Or- 
ganist of  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  of  this  city  and  of 
Kusical  Ir.Ftructor  in  c't.  Paul ' s- Cathedral  Choir  School, 

The  work  required  of  him  was  of  a  difficult 
nature  and  it  suffices  to  say  that  it  was  p.ccor-rlishec 
in  a  nost  efficient  nnd  satisfactory  manner. 

I  heartily  reoorcnend  him  as  a  nan  of  ex- 
cellent charactor  and  an  able  organist  and  r-uslcal 
Instructor. 


t 


To  w;.rrn  it  may  concem:- 

It  gives  do  great  pleasure  to  reconnond  Mr. 
Arthur  P.  Fuller,  whom  T  consider  one  of  the  best  Cr- 
ganirts  and  Choirmasters  I  ever  net. 

He  i«  a  thorough  rrusician  and  understands  per- 
fectly every  line  of  his  work. 

Having  been  associated  with  hirc  at  St.  Paul's 
Cathedral,  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis.,  I  feel  I  can  speak  with 
full  knowledge  of  his  capabilities. 

Bessie  Marie  Mayharr, 
Soprano . 


To  whoir.  it  nay  concern: 

This  certifies  that  Vr.  Arthur  Puller  is  a 
musician  of  rare  excellence,  and  a  fine  organist,  rapid 
in  eight  reading,  and  has  had  a  thorough  and  careful 
training  in  the  direction  of  surpliced  choir6.  by  60rr.e  of 
the  be=t  chr ir-dlrectors  in  the  country,  and  T  heartily 
recommend  him  to  any  one  in  need  of  his  services. 

R.  Blomquift,  Cottdos'T,  ar.d  Director 
of  Music,  Fultcn  St.  M.  E.  Church,  Chicago. 


The  J  S  Fearis  Co. 
Music  Publishers  and  Dealers 

CHICAGO 


To  whom  it  may  concern: 

I  am  Intimately  acquainted  with  V,r .    Arthur 
Fuller  of  Chicago,  and  a9  teacher  of  Piano,  Organ 
and  sight  reading,  And  performer  on  6a id  instrur.er.ts, 
I  am  glad  to  recommend  him. 

Hia  character  is  above  reproach,  and  he  is 
an  earnest  christian,  and  a  young  man  to  comrand  the 
leve  and  resnect  of  all  who  know  him. 

L     ■ 


<tl 


Choirmaster,  Lincoln 
F.irk  Congregational  Church,  Chicago. 
Staff  Con-poser  for  McKinley  Juieic  Company. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

One  More  of  the  Enemy's  Batteries  Silenced. 

BUT  many  say,  these  days,  "We  do  not  care  what 
you  used  to  do — it  is  what  you  can  do  now — 
what  you  are  now,  that  counts." 
So  I  append  some  newspaper  items  regarding  con- 
certs I  have  given  from  flat  of  my  back.  Trusting  this 
reading  will  not  be  devoid  of  interest.  The  articles  are 
not  given  in  entirety,  but  merely  that  which  makes  some 
point  not  brought  out  by  other  articles.  Neither  are 
all  write-ups  quoted— only  those  that  say  something  dif- 
ferent. 


A  clever  picture  which  eliminates  evidences  of  invalidism  for  those 

who  like  to  think  of  the  author  as  Musician.  Composer, 

Author.  Poet,  rather  than  as  a  cripple. 


114 


AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

(Elte  burning  (Sasrit* 

Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  March  15,  1904. 

The  spacious  parlors  of  the  Lobenstein  residence 
were  filled  to  overflowing  last  night  by  the  people  who 
came  to  hear  Arthur  Fuller  give  a  song  and  piano 
recital.  Eight  of  the  songs  and  one  of  the  instru- 
mental numbers  were  his  own  compositions.  He 
played  with  precision  and  dexterity.  His  vocal  num- 
bers were  smoothly  rendered,  his  voice  being  sweet 
and  true.  The  applause  was  enthusiastic,  and  every- 
one present  was  well  pleased. 


ulhe  Afouerttaer-CSaEftte 

Creston,  Iowa,  July  15,  1908. 

An  audience  that  filled  the  Methodist  Church  to  the 
doors,  last  night  heard  Arthur  Fuller  sing  and  play. 
Lying  on  his  wheel-cot,  he  played  the  piano,  and  sang 
in  a  beautiful  mellow  baritone,  the  solo,  "I  Could  Not 
Do  Without  Thee."  At  its  close  the  audience  was 
largely  in  tears.  The  quality  of  his  voice,  which, 
though  soft  and  sweet,  sounded  through  the  entire 
church,  bespoke  fully  the  reputation  as  a  singer  which 
Mr.  Fuller  once  enjoyed.  It  seems  marvelous  that  a 
man  who  cannot  read  a  line  of  print  and  cannot  live 
except  in  a  reclining  position,  could  play  and  sing  so 
sweetly.  After  the  service  great  crowds  of  people 
came  forward  to  express  their  appreciation  of  his 
rendition. 


©tip  Rtb  (Dak  iExpreaa 

Red  Oak,  Iowa,  August  27,  1908. 
*     *     *     His    singing    evidenced    high    cultivation 


and  richness  of  voice.     *     *     * 


* 


(itljr  Slrb  ©ak  £>un 

Red  Oak,  Iowa,  August  28,  1908. 

A  large  audience  assembled  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  last  Monday  evening  to  hear  the  Concert 
given  by  Arthur  Fuller.  It  is  seldom  we  see  an  audi- 
ence so  highly  pleased.  His  rich,  cultivated  voice, 
under  perfect  control,  especially  captivated  the  audi- 
ence. One  instrumental  and  three  vocal  numbers 
were  his  own  compositions. 


ARTHUR  P.   FULLER  115 


iKjuuBton  (t^ronirlp 

Houston,  Texas,  May  2,  1909. 
It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  Arthur  Fuller 
Concert  on  Thursday  evening  was  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  entertainments  ever  given  in  Houston. 
As  Mr.  Fuller  lay  on  his  wheeled  couch  by  the  piano, 
his  fingers  moved  over  the  keys  with  the  assurance 
and  delicacy  of  technique.  "Concert  Etude"  by  Whit- 
ing, and  Handel's  "Largo,"  especially,  were  played 
with  incredible  force  and  authority,  and  each  one  of 
his  own  compositions  in  which  sentiment  and  pathos 
of  true  musical  origin,  found  expression.  His  sweet. 
smooth,  round,  musical  baritone  voice  filled  the 
hall.  The  audience  evidenced  keenest  appreciation 
and  sympathy. 


(The  Wiggins  3Jnbr;irnornt 

Higgins,  Texas,  July  16,  1909. 

*  *  *  The  interest  of  the  audience  was  great  from 
the  first,  as  they  watched  his  slender  fingers  play  over 
the  keys,  or  listened  to  his  sweet,  well-trained  voice. 
Although  he  is  compelled  to  play  while  lying  on  his 
back,  he  played  very  precisely,  with  much  expression 
and  splendid  technique.  The  first  number,  an  Impro- 
vise sweet  in  melody  and  perfect  in  harmony,  re- 
vealed the  true  artist.  Few  present-day  pianists  are 
able  to  give  such  a  rare  treat  to  an  audience.  All  the 
piano  numbers  were  well  rendered.  The  "Rustic 
Wedding  March"  and  "Largo"  showed  the  musician's 
ability  to  render  both  the  airy,  dainty,  delicate  and 
the  deep,  dramatic  numbers  with  equal  art. 

Although  the  audience  was  charmed  with  his  piano 
work,  it  was  more  pleased  with  his  voice.  It  is  a 
sweet,  delicate  baritone,  yet  he  sang  with  such  per- 
fect enunciation  that  the  words  were  easily  heard  to 
the  rear  end  of  the  hall.  His  intonation  was  true,  and 
notwithstanding  his  position,  he  sang  with  perfect 
ease.  In  "The  Heart  Bowed  Down,"  when  the  piano 
was  silent,  as  his  voice  rose  with  a  gradual  crescendo, 
then  fell  in  clear,  sweet  tones,  the  audience  seemed  to 
almost  hold  its  breath,  for  fear  of  missing  a  tone.  Two 
of  the  vocal  numbers  were  his  own  compositions.  The 
"Song  to  a  Sojourner"  was  especially  pleasing,  both  in 
composition  and  rendition. 


116  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

©tjr  8>tar  Journal 

Pueblo,  Colorado,  October  6,  1909. 

The  piano  and  voice  recital  given  last  night  at  the 
First  Methodist  Church  by  Arthur  F.  Fuller,  was  en- 
joyed by  an  appreciative  audience.  The  musicians 
present  could  best  underrtand  the  great  difficulties 
conquered  so  well  and  so  bravely. 

Mr.  Fuller's  performance  was  in  many  ways  re- 
markable, showing  the  triumph  of  will  over  stupen- 
dous difficulties.  He  played  from  memory,  standard 
and  classic  numbers,  the  notes  of  which  he  has  not 
seen  for  fifteen  years.  This  in  itself  is  wonderful. 
The  trying  physical  feat  of  playing  while  on  his  back 
was  a  revelation  to  the  audience. 

Mr.  Fuller  has  a  pleasing  and  sympathetic  voice  and 
his  compositions  were  particularly  well  received. 


©he  fCiglit  anb  (gazette 

San  Antonio,  Texas,  February  16,  1910. 

The  Arthur  Fuller  recital  which  took  place  at  the 
Grand  Opera  House  Thursday  night  was  a  magnificent 
success  from  an  artistic  standpoint.  His  numbers  were 
all  enthusiastically  received  and  he  responded  with  a 
number  of  encores  in  a  most  pleasing  and  artistic 
manner.  His  rendering  of  the  classics  was  a  happy 
surprise  to  his  audience.  Owing  to  his  affliction,  hav- 
ing lain  on  his  back  ten  years,  the  success  of  his  per- 
formance won  him  scores  of  friends  among  the  best 
people  in  San  Antonio.  His  audience  numbered  over 
1000. 


fflarUai)  b  Hrrhly 

San  Antonio,  Texas,  February  18,  1910. 

*  *  *  In  Arthur  F.  Fuller,  our  invalid  musician, 
we  all  have  recognized  one  of  God's  own  heroes.  At 
his  Concert  at  the  Grand  Opera  House,  Feb.  10th,  he 
did  as  remarkable  a  thing  as  is  being  done  by  any 
musician  in  the  world  today.  He  played  a  long  and 
taxing  program,  wonderfully  accurate  technically.  *  * 
His  voice  is  of  beautiful  quality — a  baritone,  especial- 
ly lovely  in  the  upper  register. 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  u- 


EXCERPTS  BELOW  REFER  TO  SECOND  CONCERT. 


£hr  iCtgltt  anti  (Sasritr 

San  Antonio,  Texas,  April  13,  1910. 
Some  of  those  who  attended  expected  to  hear  in 
Fuller  a  music-fakir,  who  would  do  his  best,  depend- 
ing upon  sympathy  to  cover  up  glaring  deficiencies. 
But  he  quickly  proved  himself  to  be  a  musician  of 
able  equipment.  His  tone  production  and  enunciation 
were  faultless,  the  timbre  beautiful,  and  there  was  no 
room  for  disappointment  as  to  resonance  and  volume. 
He  sang  with  much  feeling  and  that  understanding 
which  marks  the  work  of  one  fitted  for  concert  per- 
formances by  natural  g*ft,  abundant  culture  large  ex- 
perience and  whole-souled  love  of  musical  art.  His 
piano  solos  were  no  less  artistically  rendered,  and 
evoked  hearty  applause. 


ittarkay'a  IBrrklg 

San  Antonio,  Texas,  April  16,  1910. 
Too  much  cannot  be  said  in  praise  of  Mr.  Fuller 
both  as  singer  and  pianist.  When  one  knows  what  it 
means  to  play  intelligently  with  everything  favorable, 
we  can  appreciate  that  it  requires  almost  superhuman 
effort  to  accomplish  what  he  does.  His  tone  is  won- 
derfully sweet  and  his  technic  is  remarkably  clean. 
The  strong  personality  of  the  man  shows  in  all  that 
he  does,  proving  that  he  is  big  enough  to  rise  above 
almost  insurmountable  obstacles.  He  has  a  sweet, 
beautiful  baritone  voice,  and  he  sang  with  such  in- 
telligence and  pathos  that,  as  we  sat  and  listened  and 
realized  what  he  could  have  accomplished  in  health, 
it  was  hard  to  keep  back  the  tears.  He  was  recalled 
many  times  and  responded  with  his  own  compositions. 
He  was  among  his  friends,  as  was  manifested  by  the 
ovation  he  received  when  he  appeared  on  the  plat- 
form. His  cot  was  covered  with  flowers  as  he  was 
wheeled  off  the  stage. 


113 


AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 


SPECIMEN   PROGRAM 


PIANO 

(a)  Air  de  Ballet  No.  2 C.  Chaminade 

(b)  Andante  in  C  Flat,  Sonata  Op.  26 

Ludwig  von  Beethoven 
VOICE 

Recit.     "I  Feel   the  Deity."  from  Judas  Maccabaeus 

Air,  "Arm,  Arm  Ye  Brave"  G.  F.  Handel 

PIANO 

(a)  Serenata,   Op.   15 M.   Moszkowski 

(b)  Impromptu  in  A  Flat       ....       Franz  Schubert 

VOICE 

( a )  Daphne's    Love Landon    Ronald 

( b )  Darby  and  Joan J.  L.  Molloy 

PIANO 

(a '»     Cortege   Rustique        .         .         .        .        Templeton    Strong 
(b)     Concert  Etude  in  E  Major       .        .        .       Arthur  Whiting 

VOICE 

(a)  If  I  But  Knew Wilson  G.  Smith 

(b)  Hindoo  Lament H.   Bemberg 

PIANO 

(a)  Marz  Wind E.  A.  MacDowell 

(b)  Nocturne,   Op.   55    No.   1,   F   Minor        .        .        F.   Chopin 

VOICE 

(a)  Pilgrim's  Prayer I.  Tschaikowsky 

(b)  Yearning From  the  German 

PIANO 

(a)      Song  Without  Words,   (E  Major,  Op.  IP,  No.  1) 
(b)      Rondo  Capricc-'oso        ....  "«.  Mendels^.-   n 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  119 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

The  Crucial  Conflict. 

FEW  people  are  so  fortunate  as  to  entirely  escape 
taint  of  hypochondriasis.    But  a  man  of  anywhere 
near  normal   mind   is   more   anxious  to    Lret    well 
than  to  obtain  an  awe-inspiring  diagnosis. 

In  the  first  years  of  my  affliction,  I  had  such  pro- 
found awe  for  tin-  "greal  doctor,"  looking  upon  him  as 
something  superhuman,  I  listened  in  silent  admiral  ion 
and  implicit  confidence,  to  the  supposedly  absolute  wis- 
dom of  this  wonderful  oracle,  and  never  dared  to  hold  an 
opinion  of  my  own,  nor  ask  a  question  that  was  avoid- 
able. J 5ut  -when  I  got  bold  enough  to  dare  to  ask  for  a 
diagnosis,  the  answer  was  usually  something  like  this: 

"Why  you  have  a  nervous  trouble."  Then  he  would 
dodge  oil'  upon  a  consideration  of  my  heredity,  environ- 
ment, worry  and  overwork,  and  by  expressions  of  sym- 
pathy, induce  me  to  forget  the  matter  I  was  anxious  to 
have  frankly  and  definitely  explained. 

Later  on  when  1  had  still  further  overcome  natural 
timidity,  and  asked  with  some  seriousness,  the  reply 
would  be  something  like  this: 

"I  do  not  care  to  commit  myself.  Bui  I  am  satis- 
tied  i  hat  1  understand  your  case  perfectly,  and  am 
thoroughly  equipped  to  advise  and  prescribe  for  you." 

I  have  been  examined  and  prescribed  for  by  120  dif- 
ferent doctors,  some  of  t hem  having  national  reputations. 
I  have  endeavored  to  say  for  myself  that  I  am  and  have 
long  been  in  a  bad  tix — a  condition  of  physical  inability. 
Bui  there  are  many  people  who  feel  aboul  such  matters 
as  did  the  Irishman  who  said:  "Lav  still  Mik< — the 
doctor  says  you're  dead,  and  be  oughl  to  know  better 
than  you!"  Hence  it  may  be  well  to  give  a  few  diag 
noses  so  that  it  may  be  known  that  doctors  have  defend- 
ed  my  claims  by  their  opinions. 

The  first  definite  diagnosis  1  can  recall  was  by  Dr. 
E.  .1.  Basset,  90  Adams  St..  Chicago,  lie  called  it,  "AN 
ADVANCED   cask    OF   SPINAL   NEURASTHENIA." 

Physicians  who  later  attended   me  did   not   appear  to  find 
any  fault  with  that   diagnosis. 


120  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

The  following  in  order: 

Dr.  T.  F.  Mayham,  406  Main  St.,  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis. : 
;  •  Fuller 's  case  may  not  be  so  easily  handled.  My  opinion 
is  that  he  is  afflicted  with  SPINAL  trouble— Tabes— 
LOCOMOTOR  ATAXIA." 

Dr.  R.  A.  Palmer,  546  Main  St..  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis.: 
■Looks  like  SCLEROSIS." 

Dr.  L.  C.  Gottschalk,  Ashland  and  Diversey  Boule- 
vards, Chicago:  "Your  trouble  is  largely  due  to  the 
SPINE." 

Staff  of  Phvsicians,  Nerve  Force  Hall,  Atlantic  City, 
N.  J.:  "This  is  evidently  a  case  of  PROGRESSIVE 
PARALYSIS." 

Dr.  J.  H.  Greer,  President  of  Harvard  Medical  Col- 
lege, Chicago,  and  Professor  of  Genito-Urinary  diseases, 
College  of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  Chicago,  and  lecturer 
at  several  medical  colleges:  "This  condition  is  called 
TRAUMATIC  NEUROSIS." 

Dr.  M.  Olson,  1126  W.  Chicago  Ave.,  Chicago.  (Re- 
cently from  active  practice  in  noted  Sanitariums  in 
Norway  and  Sweden,  with  the  foremost  neurologists  of 
the  day.)  :~ 

"I  perceive  that  your  brain  is  normal.  Such  mental 
symptoms  as  you  have  experienced  were  due  to  your 
general  condition.  Your  judgment  is  sound  and  will- 
power above  the  average.  It  is  not  difficult,  however, 
to  recognize  the  disturbance  of  the  vaso-motor  system. 
The  attacks  of  spinal  pain  and  contractions,  together 
with  HYPERESTHESIA  and  MYASTHENIA  are  due 
to  NEUROTOXINES  quite  as  much  as  to  heredity, 
overwork  or  anything  else." 

Dr.  F.  H.  Harris,  Kalamazoo,  Mich.:  "Your  trouble 
is  due  entirely  to  the  central  nervous  system — spinal 
cord  and  cerebellum.  I  diagnose  your  case  as  CEREBRO- 
SPINAL-ASTHENIA.  ' ' 

It  is  not  easy  for  a  conscientious  diagnostician  to 
keep  the  important  points  in  mind  in  a  complicated  case 
such  as  mine.  But  fixing  upon  a  name  would  not 
i-hange  or  improve  the  condition.  The  main  principles 
are  by  no  means  difficult  to  gather.  I  give  these  diag- 
noses however,  that  endless  and  useless  questioning  may 
be  avoided. 

Dr.  S.  M.  Langworthy,  spinal  specialist  (Chiroprac- 
tic) President  American  Ass'n.  Chiropractors,  President 
and  Founder  American  College  Chiropractic,  Cedar  Rap- 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  121 

ids,  Iowa:  "Your  condition  is  due  largely,  perhaps 
wholly,  to  the  SPINE.  The  vertebral  situation  is  too 
complicated  to  admit  of  description  in  a  single  term. 
*  *  *  I  am  glad  to  have  you  say  thai  I  have  bene- 
fited you  more  than  anyone  who  has  ever  treated  you. 
Bui  I  wish  with  all  my  heart  that  I  might  have  done 
more  for  you.*' 

I)i-.  A.  Meyerdick,  City  Dispensary,  St.  Louis.  Mo.: 
'•1  would  diagnose  this  man's  trouble  as  SPINAL  NEU- 
ROSIS.- 

Dr.  <'.  II.  Bughes,  Professor  of  Nervous  and  Mental 
Diseases.  Barnes  Medical  College,  St.  Louis,  Mo.:  "We 
term  this  condition  ASTASIA." 

Dr.  J.  P.  Bailey,  Osteopath,  St.  Louis,  Mo.:  "You 
say  that  you  have  had  treatment  from  several  Osteo- 
paths. They  have  doubtless  acquainted  you  with  our 
theory  that  perfect  anatomical  adjustment  is  essential  to 
health.  There  is  no  single  term  that  would  describe 
your  complicated  SPINAL  condition.  But  I  fancy  you 
will  have  to  eonteiit  yourself  with  your  present  state  of 
health,  unless  success  is  obtained  in  correcting  the  mal- 
adjustment  of  your  spine." 

Prof.  M.  F.  Knox,  sometime  Professor  of  Nervous 
Diseases  in  certain  colleges  in  Illinois;  later  Founder 
and  President  American  College  of  .Mental  Science,  Bryn 
Mawr,  Seattle.  Wash.:  "Your  condition  is  due  to  wast- 
ing of  the  cerebellum— TABES  CEREBELLI." 

Dr.  M.  W.  Hoge,  Professor  of  Neurology  at  Wash- 
ington University,  St.  Loins.  Mo. :  "This  is  a  very  in- 
teresting case.  I  have  never  seen  but  one  which  "was  at 
all  similar  to  it.  We  term  this  condition  CEREBRO- 
Sl'IXAL-ASTHENIA." 

Dr.  A.  C.  Duncan,  in  his  Sanatorium  at  Hammond. 
Ind.,  said:  "I  am  a  graduate  from  the  Colleges  of  five 
different  systems  of  drugless  healing  including  Osteo- 
pathy and  Chiropractic.  My  observations  of  many  eases 
lead  me  to  the  conclusion  that  vours  is  a  case  of  ANTER- 
IOR-POLIO-MYELITIS. You  may  he  benefitted  some- 
what, hut  will  never  be  cured." 

Dr.  das.  M.  Rainey,  specialist  in  nervous  diseases, 
lol'  Lake  St.,  Chicago:  "No  doubl  you  already  know 
from  what  disease  you  are  suffering  SPINAL  SCLER- 
OSIS." 

Dr.  J.  J.  Davis.  Practicing  Physician.  Higgins,  Texas, 
about  June.  1909: 


122  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

'To  make  a  long  story  short,  your  condition  has 
never  been  accurately  diagnosed.  However,  the  differ- 
ent diagnoses  which  you  have  named,  mean  practically 
the  same  thing.  To  obtain  an  absolute  diagnosis,  would 
require  a  great  deal  of  time,  a  considerable  period  of  ob- 
servation, and  elaborate  experiments,  principally  of  an 
electrical  nature.  When  it  should  be  obtained  you  would 
have  NOTHING,  except  another  long  name  to  carry 
around  with  you.  The  diagnoses  you  already  have  are 
sufficient  to  cover  all  practical  needs.  The  criticism, 
which  you  say  some  doctors  have  made  regarding  the 
physicians  who  treated  you  in  the  early  stages  of  your 
trouble,  accusing  them  of  having  blundered  around 
through  failure  to  foresee  the  prognosis,  is  unjust.  Even 
if  they  could  have  known  just  what  your  condition  would 
be,  so  many  years  hence,  and  as  I  find  you  on  this  day  and 
date,  they  would  have  been  powerless  to  have  rendered 
1m -iter  service." 


We  sometimes  find  that  those  Avho  we  would  natur- 
ally suppose  would  have  accurate  knowledge  of  a  cer- 
tain subject  have  been  so  hampered  by  prejudice  that 
they  are  quite  in  the  dark  as  to  its  real  character  and 
worth.  When  questioned,  they  cover  their  ignorance  by 
condemnation.  There  are  those  who  entertain  nothing 
but  contempt  for  Chiropractic  and  there  are  others  who 
think  there  is  something  in  it. 

Biology  says:  "The  radiation  of  nerve  stimulus 
through  organized  channels  is  the  cause  of  all  animation 
Dr.  Carver,  in  his  book,  "The  Analysis  of  Chiropractic 
says:  "The  occlusion  of  nerve  stimulus  is  the  cause  of 
all  functional  abnormality."  Those  who  speak  lightly  of 
Chiropractic  might  use  their  breath  and  time  to  better 
advantage  by  a  deeper  and  an  unbiased  investigation  of 
its  teachings  and  the  results  which  have  been  attained 
by  their  application. 

T  have  been  treated  by  12  Chiropractors  in  several 
States,  by  graduates  of  the  most  important  Schools.  Dr. 
Carver,  President  of  the  Carver  School  of  Chiropractic, 
52]  W.  9th  St..  Oklahoma  City,  Okla.,  is  claimed  to  be  the 
ablest  Diagnostician  in  the  Chiropractic  world.  At  the 
urgent  requesl  of  many  friends  in  different  localities,  I 
embraced  the  opportunity  of  obtaining  his  opinion.  His 
statement  is  eriven  below: 


>  > 


ARTHUR   F.   FULLER  123 


"Oklahoma  city.  Okla.,  Oct.  20,  L914. 

"1  examined  the  ease  of  .Mr.  A.  F.  Puller  of  Fori 
Worth,  Texas,  and  find  his  osseous  analysis  to  he  as  fol- 
lows: 

"The    primary    displacement    is   a    gravely    inferior 

one  of  the  sacrum,   being  dropped  deeply   into  the  pelvic 

cavity  impinging  upon  that  portion  of  the  eauda  equina 
thai  extends  through  the  sacrum  and  placing  heavy  trac- 
tion upon  the  fourth  and  fifth  lumbar  and  all  of  the 
sacral  trunks.  The  occlusions  resulting  from  this  dis- 
placement affect  all  of  the  lower  ahdominal  and  pelvic 
viscera  and  especially  the  skeletal  muscles  of  the  1  highs, 
legs  and  feet  with  especial  gravity  from  the  knees  down. 
The  traction  produced  on  the  gangliated  cords  and  lumbo- 
sacral plexus  by  the  displacement  as  indicated  produces 
grave  irritation  which  affects  all  of  the  motor  reactive 
centers  superior  to  the  injury,  Vicing  the  dorso-lumbar 
center,  the  sixth  dorsal  center,  the  hase  of  the  neck  and 
al  the  hase  of  the  skull.  The  phases  of  abnormality 
caused  by  these  occlusions  affed  respiration,  heart,  liver 
and  the  alimentary  canal  generally,  the  symptoms  of 
which  are  too  multitudinous  for  enumeration. 

"The  displacement  was  caused  by  a  fall,  from  a  harn 
roof,  patient  striking  in  such  manner  as  to  throw  the 
force  from  the  column  obliquely  through  the  sacrum, 
gravely  suhluxating  the  whole  sacro-illiac  articulation. 
At  the  same  time  the  shock  produced  a  gravely  left  lat- 
eral rotated  displacement  of  the  atlas.  The  occlusions 
resulting  from  this  part  of  the  injury  more  particularly 
affed  the  eyes,  ears,  throat  and  heart. 

"'The  injury  is  of  such  lone'  standing  and  the  tissues 
have  so  completely  degenerated  that  1  would  not  prognose 
a  recovery,  and  yet  I  would  recommend  that  the  proper 
application  of  the  principles  of  Chiropractic  to  this  case 
would  very  materially  improve  all  of  the  functional  op- 
erations of  the  viscera,  and  would  greatly  improve  the 
use  of  the  arms  and  hands  and  should  greatly  heiietit  the 
muscles  of  the  neck  and  thorax.  The  heart  symptoms 
should  he  practically  dissipated. 

"Trusting  this  diagnosis  may  he  of  material  aid  to 
you  aud  wishing  you  every  success, 

DR.  WILLAED  CARVER." 


124  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

Now.  please  do  uot  come  to  me  and  ask  which  of 
these  diagnoses  is  the  correct  one.  I  am  anxious  to  get 
away  from  all  thoughts  of  my  present  and  past  diseased 
condition.  My  trouble  appears  to  be  a  failure  or  inability 
of  the  central  nervous  system — cerebellum  and  spinal 
cord — to  generate  sufficient  nervous  force  to  operate  the 
functions  of  the  body  and  enable  manual  effort  and 
normal  activity.  In  the  foregoing  pages  are  to  be  found 
The  facts  regarding  my  condition  and  its  development. 
YOU  can  NAME  it  to  suit  yourself. 

Now,  I  could  publish  a  nice  assortment  of  testimon- 
ial letters,  but  I  fear  it  would  be  impossible  to  make 
evidences  strong  enough  to  cause  everybody  to  become  a 
positive  champion  on  my  behalf.  The  day  after  I  have 
delivered  a  strong  and  convincing  testimonial,  an  old  or 
new  acquaintance  of  the  patron  might  come  along  and 
say:  "Do  not  do  anything  for  Fuller.  I  know  it  to  be 
a  fact  that  he  is  a  fake — that  he  is  not  really  afflicted — 
and  furthermore  that  he  has  thousands  of  dollars  in  the 
bank  as  well  as  lots  of  property  that  is  earning  him 
money.  He  is  most  unworthy."  And  I  doubt  if  the 
patron  would  have  stamina  enough,  manhood  enough, 
love  of  justice  enough  to  tell  the  speaker  that  he  is  a 
coward  and  a  liar.  And  that,  furthermore,  even  if  Ful- 
ler did  own  much,  he  still  has  the  right  to  earn  a  living 
and  pursue  happiness— make  money  if  he  could  honor- 
ably do  so. 

And  the  pity  of  it  all  is  that  even  if  a  bystander 
were  good  enough  to  defend  me  and  bring  witnesses  to 
prove  that  the  knocker  had  said  such  things,  and  I 
should  have  the  matter  brought  to  court,  the  accuser 
could  say  he  was  onty  joking,  that  he  did  not  mean  any 
ha i-m,  or  that  he  was  drunk — and  the  case  would  be  dis- 
missed. Or  even  if  he  could  not  squeeze  out  that  way, 
I  could  only  get  judgment  for  damages — I  would  be 
asked  how  much  did  this  remark  injure  my  business — 
simply  fooled  me  out  of  a  25  cent  sale  perhaps. 

But  if  the  accuser  were  a  real  somebody  and  had  any 
money,  if  any  lover  of  a  square  deal  would  only  be  fair 
enough  to  call  the  accuser's  bluff  and  make  him  write  it, 
paint  it  or  print  it  to  his  own  signature,  and  bring  it  to 
me,  I  would  then  show  folks  that  I  am  not  a  dog,  not 
a  humbug,  not  a  liar — but  as  I  represent.  And  further- 
more, suit  for  libel  or  defamation  of  character,  is  some- 
thing that  offers  a  chance  for  remuneration  for  effort  ex- 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  12'j 

pended   in  a  scrap,   provided  that   the  accuser  lms  any 
money — is  worth  whipping,  in  other  words. 

So,  then,  I  repeat,  I  am  not  looking  for  friends,  but 
customers.  I  have  found  many  in  the  past  who  have 
bought  my  books,  taken  up  time  and  strength  I  could 
not  easily  spare  by  talking  to  me  on  the  streets,  or  come 
to  visit  me  at  my  room  and  show  their  "interest'  by 
asking  a  lot  of  questions  that  were  absolutely  none  of 
their  business,  but  when  I  had  been  to  the  trouble  of 
pleasing  them  and  satisfying  their  probings,  submitted 
to  their  impertinence,  gratified  their  curiosity,  put  up 
with  the  bore  of  their  visits,  and  seemed  to  have  won 
for  myself  a  right  cozy  place  in  their  hearts: 

Here  comes  some  hum  that  never  earned  an  honest 
dollar  in  his  life,  or  did  a  fair  day's  work  in  exchange 
for  the  remuneration  paid  him  for  service,  or  some  other 
somebody  or  nobody,  and  whispers  a  bit  of  truck — and 
behold !  my  good  friend  gets  wobbly  in  his  knees,  suc- 
cumbs to  a  persistent  attack  of  tongue-tie,  figuratively 
has  a  serious  case  of  apolexy,  his  eyes  bulge  out,  his 
tongue  lolls  out  of  his  loose  mouth,  his  excuse  of  moral 
backbone  becomes  very  flabby,  and  the  knocker  holds 
the  floor. 

So,  PLEASE  bear  in  mind  that  I  ask  no  charity  in 
any  way,  shape  or  manner.  Simply  justice  and  common 
business  courtesy.  I  expect  only  that  degree  of  oice- 
ness  and  decency  as  may  seem  becoming  to  those  with 
whom  I  eome  in  contact.  My  God  and  one  or  two  mor- 
tals are  about  all  that  I  feel  are  likely  to  be  true  to  me, 
and  1  expect  to  be  about  four  times  as  happy  as  those 
whose  small  souls  reach  out  eternally  for  the  least 
amount  of  responsibility  but  the  greatest  amount  of 
credit   and  reward. 

The  giving  of  Concerts  from  flal  of  my  back  prev- 
iously referred  to  in  this  book — is  the  only  thing  1  have 
ever  found  whereby  1  could  actually  make  more  than  ex- 
penses. Even  then  many  favorable  circumstances  must 
exist  which  are  not  always  to  be  found.  However,  by 
this  means  I  succeeded  in  getting  together  a  Health 
Fund.  1  wanted  to  create  the  opportunity  to  try  out  a 
Pew  things  in  the  line  of  treatment   which  had  not  been 

fully   tested. 

Following  out  my  plan,  I  reported  for  treatmcm 
Dr.  II.  A.  Womble,  in  his  office  in  the  Hicks  Bldg.,  San 


126  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

Antonio.  He  is  a  Specialist  in  Chronic  diseases  and 
uses  Electricity  largely.    He  said: 

"Electricity  is  the  best  agent  for  use  in  your  case. 
Originally  you  had  MYELITIS.  Your  present  condi- 
tion is  PARAPLEGIA  from  that  cause.  Unless  other 
complications  set  in,  you  are  likely  to  live  many  years 
and  enjoy  a  fair  degree  of  comfort." 

The  treatment  brought  no  benefit.  After  some  cor- 
respondence, I  proceeded  to  Chicago  where  my  old 
friend  Dr.  J.  H.  Greer  performed  an  operation  upon  me. 
But  little  benefit  resulted.  I  proceeded  to  Philadelphia 
where  I  entered  the  Mt.  Vernon  Sanatarium  for  a  four 
inonths  course  of  treatment.  Dr.  Win.  Stiles  was  the 
<  '(insulting  Physician  and  pronounced  my  condition  Akin- 
esia from  Myelitis  and  said  the  prognosis  was  doubtful 
but  recommended  that  the  treatment  in  vogue  at  the 
Sanatarium  be  faithfully  tried.  This  was  done  but  no 
benefit  resulted. 

I  proceeded  to  New  York.  Went  to  Bellevue  Hos- 
pital and  asked  for  Dr.  Bishop  to  whom  I  had  a  letter  of 
introduction.  He  was  busy  so  I  learned  from  his  assist- 
ant that  the  greatest  Neurologist  in  their  opinion  was 
Dr.  J.  Ramsay  Hunt  who  was  formerly  Head  Professor 
at  Bellevue  and  was  now  Chief  at  Cornell  University 
Medical  College  just  across  the  street. 

Dr.  Hunt  is  a  very  busy  man  and  some  difficulty 
was  experienced  securing  an  appointment.  He  proved 
to  be  very  earefuh  painstaking  and  gentle.  After  a 
thorough  examination  lasting  about  three  hours,  he  com- 
pleted his  "diagram"  of  the  case  and  delivered  himself 
as  follows : 

"Making  due  allowance  for  certain  possibilities,  I 
have  nevertheless  brought  out  specific  points  which  are 
to  my  mind  conclusive  and  final.  I  attach  importance  to 
the  facts  that  your  mother  was  insane  and  that  her  rela- 
tives wen-  short  -lived  and  therefore  of  poor  constitution, 
that  on  your  father's  side,  nervous  disease  ran  in  the 
family;  but  more  especially  to  the  fact  that  your  father 
was  never  able  to  walk  more  than  six  or  eight  blocks  at 
any  time  since  your  birth,  until  his  death  from  the  same 
trouble  with  which  you  are  afflicted. 

"These  points  in  connection  with  dim  and  blurred 
vision,  diplopia,  Argyle-Robinson  pupil,  vertigo,  lapses 
of  consciousness,  disappearance  of  vision,  contracted 
sphincters,       variation       between       hyperesthesia       and 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  1'27 

anaesthesia,  hyperalgia,  pains  in  the  limits,  and  spine, 
loss  of  power  in  the  lower  limbs,  ami  other  specific  symp- 
toms, furnish  the  basis  for  my  opinion  thai  your  afflic- 
tion is  PRIEDRICH'S  ATAXIA. 

"I  believe  your  brain  is  healthy.  The  disease  is  in- 
curable, but  the  worst  suffering  is  over.  You  will  be 
conscious  and  in  your  right  mind  to  the  very  last.  With 
proper  care  and  attention  and  appropriate  measures  you 
may  live  a  number  of  years.  I  will  give  you  a  tabula- 
tion of  my  ideas  along  that  line,  for  the  guidance  of 
physicians  who  may  be  called  from  time  to  time  to  furn- 
ish you  such  relief  as  can  be  afforded." 

Of  course  the  other  doctors  who  have  examined  or 
treated  me  have  agreed  with  some  diagnosis  quoted. 
Possibly  some  of  the  differenciation  was  due  to  the  fact 
that  my  condition  in  certain  details,  is  different  at  some 
times  than  at  others.  As  before  stated,  1  give  the  diag- 
noses so  that  people  may  know  that  1  am  not  a  fake  or  an 
impostor  and  that  everything  has  been  done  for  me  that 
could  be   done. 

Were  I  well  and  strong,  having  for  handicap  only 
the  lack  of  the  ability  to  walk,  I  could  no  doubt  gel  a 
position  on  a  Vaudeville  Circuit  or  could  give  conceits 
frequently  enough  to  make  street  work  unnecessary,  lint. 

as  it  takes  from  one  day  to  several  weeks  to  recover  from 
a  few  hours*  musical  indulgence,  such  things  are  beyond 
me. 

Sometimes  acquaintances,  who  have  taken  quite  an 
interest  in  me  feel  that  I  ought  to  offer  or  consent  to  en- 
tertain them  by  singing  and  playing  the  piano  for  them, 
lint,  aside  from  the  suffering  involved,  I  would  not  care 
to  make  ;i  practice  of  such  performances.  The  musical 
profession  is  the  poorest  paid  of  all.  This  is  due  in  part 
to  the  habit  of  many  who  have  real  musical  ability  of 
"peddling"  their  talents  \'m\  What  is  not  paid  for  is 
not  appreciated.  A  doctor  does  not  put  in  more  years  of 
study  and  endeavor  than  a  musician,  yet  a  medical  man 
often  gets  as  much  as  a  fee  for  consultation  as  a  singer 
gets  for  much  more  work.  Often  ^oOO.OO  to  $5,000.00  is 
paid  a  surgeon  for  an  operation  requiring  no  greater 
skill  and  much  less  time  than  is  used  by  a  musician  for 
his  efforts.  True,  some  musicians  do  get  paid  well  tor 
their  years  of  study  and  the  exercise  of  their  talent,  but 
not  nearly  as  many  have  that  experience  ;is  there  are  doc- 
tors.    A  musician  spends  years  working  up  a  recital  pro- 


128  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

gram  and  feels  pretty  well  paid  if  he  gets  $2,000.00  a 
year  out  of  it,  yet  a  lawyer  often  gets  a  fee  of  $50,000.00 
for  a  case  that  takes  only  a  few  months. 

Recently  in  the  New  York  Journal  there  was  an  ac- 
count of  a  certain  beautiful  young  lady  who  has 
achieved  success  with  the  Metropolitan  Opera  Company, 
both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe,  who  vehemently 
averred  that  the  common  run  of  people  did  not  know  art 
when  they  hear  it.  At  the  close  of  her  engagement,  she 
dressed  in  the  garb  of  an  Italian  street  musician  and 
sang  on  Broadway  to  the  parade  of  people  on  their  way 
home  from  the  day's  work  or  business.  She  received  no 
more  attention  than  anyone  else  would  have — no  more 
than  a  Salvation  Army  singer,  because  people  did  not 
know  who  she  was.  Music,  art,  requires  a  label.  "This 
is  a  horse."  "This  is  a  brook,"  or  a  similar  label. 
People  do  not  of  themselves  know  true  tone  quality — 
true  art — when  they  hear  it.  The  "authorities"  have  to 
label  it  before  anyone  knows  whether  or  not  it  is  good. 
Some  times  the  critics  are  only  bluffers  who  know  little 
more  than  those  who  look  up  to  them  for  an  opinion. 
It  is  not  always  the  good  goods  that  get  the  money — and 
that  is  all  that  counts. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Bush-whacking  Sharp-Shooters. 

LET  it  be  understood  then,  that  I  give  the  various 
diagnoses  not  because  I  desire  to  cast  befouling 
aspersions  upon  the  medical  profession,  but  be- 
cause many  people  prefer  to  ignore  what  I  say  of  myself 
and  insist  on  having  something  definite  from  the  doctors. 

A  diagnostician  judges  of  a  patient's  condition  by 
the  symptoms  which  are  classified  as  subjective  and  ob- 
jective. The  examination  then,  is  both  physical  and  oral. 
In  cases  of  mental  troubles,  the  patient's  conduct  is  in- 
quired into  of  his  family  or  friends  or  those  in  attend- 
ance. 

A  doctor  is  required  to  hold  a  license  to  practice 
from  the  State  in  which  he  would  pursue  his  chosen  pro- 
fession. To  obtain  this,  he  is  required  to  pass  a  rigid 
examination  by  the  State  Board  of  Medical  Examiners, 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  129 

which  consists  of  college  professors  of  highesl  standing 
in  the  entire  State.  This  means  for  instance,  that  a  doc- 
tor who  graduated  from  a  medical  college  of  repute  in 
Texas  and  held  a  License  in  thai  State  could  not  go  to 
California  and  practice  there  without  also  obtaining  the 
same  sort  of  a  document  from  the  State  into  which  he 
desired  to  move. 

A  doctor,  like  a  teacher,  is  likely  to  "get  rusty"  on 
anatomy,  or  histology,  or  in  sonic  detail  connected  with 
his  work,  calling  for  technical  terms  not  rehearsed  every 
day  in  straight,  legitimate  practice,  as  such  are  seldom 
essential  outside  of  the  class  room  or  clinic. 

A  certain  doctor  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania  from 
another  State  and  was  required  to  appear  hefore  the 
Medical  Hoard  before  being  allowed  to  practice.  He  had 
had  forty  years'  successful  practice  and  felt  more  quali- 
fied to  alleviate  the  sufferings  of  humanity  than  the 
younger  men  who  sat  in  judgment. 

The  old  doctor  was  asked,  "What  are  symptoms? ': 
The  book  definition  fled  from  him.  Failure  seemed  im- 
minent. The  harder  he  tried  to  think,  the  fewer  his  ideas 
became.  Finally  he  blurted  out,  "Symptoms  are  the 
packs  of  damned  lies  our  patients  tell  us." 

The  entire  Board  Laughed.  "Correct,"  bawled  out 
the  President.     The  old  doctor  was  granted  a  license. 

This  is  one  of  the  thousands  of  little  stories  the  doc- 
tors tell  among  themselves  and  which  seldom  get  to  the 
public.  I  give  it  because  I  love  to  laugh  and  hope  it  will 
amuse  the  reader  of  these  pages.  Also  to  bring  out  the 
point  that  it  is  not  wise  to  go  to  a  physician  with  your 
heart  on  your  sleeve,  expecting  understanding,  sympathy 
and  help,  1 ause  it   MAY  not  he  forthcoming. 

There  are  among  the  medical  profession  men  who  are 
noble,  conscientious,  honest  ami  earnest — who  are  in  the 
work  for  the  good  they  can  do  suffering  humanity.  But. 
sad  to  relate,  there  is  a  big  percentage  of  them  who  are 
brutal,  unfeeling  charlatans,  without  God  in  the  world, 
who  are  in  the  business  for  the  same  business  that  a 
butcher  follows  the  meat  trade — because  he  likes  it.  The 
art  of  carving  appeals  to  him  and  it  is  a  business  which 
PAYS. 

Many  think  they  can  indulge  inordinate  appetites 
and  when  they  get  si.de,  all  they  have  to  do  is  go  to  a 
doctor  and  be  made  all  over  again  it'  necessary.  Let  all 
who  read  this  be  warned  and  live  in  a  sanitary  manner, 


130  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

paying  heed  to  the  laws  of  nature,  for  when  disease 
fastens  itself  upon  the  body,  then  "Vain  is  the  help  of 
man." 

The  only  absolute  diagnosis  is  postmortem.  Doctors 
cannot  tell  where  you  are  sinking  to,  but  can  only  tell 
you  the  destination  when  you  have  arrived.  Organic 
disease  is  incurable.  Functional  disease  is  the  fore- 
runner of  organic,  although  it  MAY  be  cured  while  it  is 
yet  functional,  by  appropriate  measures,  especially  if  the 
cause  be  ascertained  and  removed. 

There  are  many  conditions  which  the  doctors  do  not 
understand.  Failing  to  find  any  objective  symptoms,  the 
only  way  open  is  to  perform  an  unnecessary  operation 
or  call  the  patient  a  hypochondriac — one  who  imagines 
he  is  sick.  It  is  certain  an  effect  can  not  exist  without 
a  cause,  but  often  the  cause  is  not  in  plain  view. 

There  are  many  diseases  which  have  certain,  usual 
symptoms.  Yet  the  best  medical  authorities  admit  that 
many  or  all  of  them  may  not  be  present  nor  any  indica- 
tion appear  until  too  late  to  avert  the  patient's  demise — 
until  near  the  end  of  his  journey. 

By  death  bereft  of  friends  and  home  I  have  had  to 
make  a  living  by  selling  on  the  streets.  This  has  ex- 
posed me  to  much  skepticism  and  suspicion.  Many 
times  some  man  has  come  along  and  examined  the  soles 
of  my  shoes  to  see  if  they  were  worn,  felt  of  my  limbs 
and  pulse  without  a  word  of  "by  your  leave." 

When  a  soldier  is  having  his  heart  examined  he  is 
called  upon  to  run  around  the  gymnasium  course  and  stop 
in  front  of  the  doctor  who  then  listens  to  his  heart.  When 
a  patient  has  not  heart  action  enough  to  keep  him  alive 
when  at  rest,  he  does  not  last  long.  In  most  cases  which 
are  not  the  result  of  mental  causes,  self -hypnotism, 
dwelling  upon  baseless  apprehensions  which  are  the 
direct  cause  of  congestion  and  imperfect  functioning,  the 
symptoms  are  worse  at  night. 

In  my  case  my  pulse  is  often  strong,  full,  bounding, 
and  my  heart  behaves  pretty  well  as  long  as  it  has  noth- 
ing to  do.  But  when  I  talk  awhile,  I  get  numb  and  my 
pulse  fades  to  the  diameter  of  a  thread,  whereas  it  had 
been  as  big  as  a  goose  quill.  If  I  lie  on  either  side  it  will 
entirely  or  nearly  disappear  from  the  wrist.  Other  times 
it  seems  to  improve  with  exertion,  but  shows  the  lack  of 
real  vitality  and  capacity  behind  it  by  its  failure  to  do  as 
well  next  time.     Instead  it  becomes  very   erratic,  wob- 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  131 

bling  dreadfully  in  the  night,  and  acts  so  feebly,  dizzi- 
ness and  faintness  result,  which  continue  many  days 
thereafter.  For  these  reasons  I  could  not  operate  a  crank 
wheel  chair,  as  many  suggest. 

The  fair  minded,  thoughtful  man  would  realize  he 
did  not  know  what  the  pulse  was  like  an  hour  previous, 
nor  what  it  would  be  an  hour  later,  nor  what  it  would 
be  after  exertion.  But  if  he  was  very  sure  from  the  fact 
that  my  heart  was  not  intermitting  at  the  moment  he  felt 
the  pulse,  that  it  never  had  and  never  would,  he  might 
want  to  ask  some  doctor  if  I  were  not  an  impostor.  If 
the  doctor  asked  a  few  questions  and  was  one  of  those 
who  think  as  the  old  man  did  about  patient's  subjective 
symptoms  being  "packs  of  damned  lies,"  I  would  prob- 
ably be  convicted  of  everything  shameful  without  further 
parley. 

Yet  when  my  heart  is  bad,  to  raise  my  voice  or  take 
a  swallow  of  water,  will  cause  it  to  falter — will  cause 
such  experiences  as  would  convince  the  most  skeptical 
very  shortly  were  they  to  experience  the  like.  For  the 
pulsations  will  drop  from  20  to  40  degrees,  occasioning 
dizziness,  faintness,  smothering. 

Pain  never  has  been  visible.  But  who  has  ever  found 
a  comfortable  place  to  have  one?  Except  by  substituting 
an  i  for  the  e,  transposing  and  putting  the  result  into  a 
window  frame.  Pain  and  weakness  must  therefore  re- 
main forever  subjective  symptoms  and  will  always  admit 
of  question  if  not  suspicion  regarding  the  patient's  ver- 
acity, judgment  and  sanity  until  the  cause  has  progressed 
far  enough  to  cause  visible  changes.  Fortunately  the 
cause  is  not  always  obscure. 

Some  doctors  have  called  my  heart  trouble  "TACH- 
YCARDIA." Others  have  termed  it  "Chronic  Uric  Acid 
CARDIAC  NEURALGIA."  Still  others  called  it  "CAR- 
DIACASTHENIA. "  Later  it  was  called  "ANGINA 
PECTORIS."  Another  doctor  called  it  "AORTIC  IN- 
COMPETANCY."  Still  another  called  it  "CARDIAC 
PROLAPSUS." 

Dr.  Martin  of  Chicago  said : 

"I  am  quite  disgusted  with  the  average  doctor  and 
his  methods.  Nature  is  too  slightly  regarded.  I  recently 
took  a  course  of  medicine  which  brings  us  back  to  first 
principles  and  eschews  poisonous  drugs  altogether.  We 
need  more  water,  more  common-sense,  more  knoweldge 


132  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

of  how  to  help  the  body,  more  out-door  air,  and  less  mys- 
ticism about  disease  and  its  treatment. 

"If  you  were  20  years  older,  there  would  be  no  doubt 
as  to  your  heart  trouble.  Everybody  would  know  it  was 
ARTERIAL  SCLEROSIS.  But  as  you  are  a  young  man, 
the  doctors  don't  know  what  to  call  it.  They  have  to 
cover  up  what  they  don't  know  by  dodging  the  issue  with 
the  help  of  funny  stories." 

My  eye  trouble  is  either  of  constitutional  or  spinal 
origin,  more  than  visual.  Hence  it  should  not  seem  sur- 
prising that  the  many  pairs  of  glasses  I  have  had,  having 
been  fitted  by  eminent  oculists,  opticians,  opto-metrists 
and  opthalmologists,  have  not  relieved  the  situation  in 
the  slightest  degree.  Of  course  there  is  some  astigmatism, 
and  traces  of  an  old  RETINITIS  are  revealed  by  the 
ophthalmoscope,  but  these  are  more  than  likely  the  re- 
sult of  insufficient  nervous  energy  and  blood  supply. 

I  do  not  aver  that  all  my  troubles  have  come  from  the 
spine,  but  many  things  would  seem  to  indicate  that  in- 
jury to  the  spinal  column  and  thus  to  the  spinal  cord,  are 
the  cause  of  all  my  woes.  But  some  doctors  claim 
heredity  is  the  real  cause  and  that  the  falls  I  have  had 
merely  brought  the  inherent  troubles  to  a  focus  at  that 
time.  Yet  it  is  known  that  many  diseases  come  about 
without  such  a  history  and  still  are  not  epidemic  or  con- 
tagious. There  is  much  in  Pathology  that  is  purely  guess- 
work and  circumstantial.  And  in  any  case,  the  discov- 
ery of  the  cause  of  disease,  does  not  include,  is  not  ac- 
companied with  perfect   ability  to  alleviate   the  results. 

In  Los  Angeles,  I  thought  it  might  be  advisable  to 
obtain  a  few  testimonial  letters.  I  had  many  friends  who 
were  doctors  and  had  been  treated  by  a  number  of  them. 
However  I  needed  one  more  name  to  fill  up  the  letter,  so 
asked  Dr.  Cook  to  sign  it.  She  said :  "Certainly.  But  if 
I  do  you  that  favor  will  you  do  me  one?  For  my  own 
personal  satisfaction  and  for  the  benefit  I  can  render 
others  through  what  I  can  learn  and  deduce,  I  should  like 
very  much  to  examine  you."  An  appointment  was  ar- 
ranged. She  came  to  my  room  and  made  a  thorough  ex- 
amination, after  which  she  said: 

"Why  you  poor  boy.  The  wonder  is  not  that  you 
are  down,  but  that  you  are  alive.  This  depressed  ster- 
num may  be  from  your  fall  or  may  be  congenital — I 
rather  think  the  former.  It  is  sufficient  in  itself  to  cause 
heart  trouble  because  your  heart   cannot   possibly  have 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  1IJ3 

any  where  near  enough  room.    You  say  you  have  not  had 
an  apex  heat  in  many  years,  and  it  is  no  wonder. 

"I  find  two  broken  ribs,  but  cannot  locate  the  ends. 
They  are  like  as  not  sticking  in  your  liver  which  may 
have  been  the  cause  of  the  liver  trouble.  You  are  bound 
to  have  pain  here  when  they  get  pressure.  There  is  no 
reason  why  you  should  not  have  died  many  years  ago, 
and  little  excuse  for  there  still  being  any  life  in  your 
body.  It  is  as  clear  as  day  that  this  is  a  case  of  'Kept 
by  the  power  of  God.'  The  Almighty  must  have  some 
deep  purpose  in  keeping  you  alive,  else  He  would  have 
called  you  to  your  long  Home  or  healed  you  before  this. 
See  that  you  keep  close  to  Him,  and  'some  day,  some 
time,  we'll  understand.'  " 


CHAPTER  XIX. 
Overtures  for  Peace. 

Friday  morning.  November  6th,  1!)14,  1  attended  the 
clinic  for  Nervous  Diseases  at  St.  Anthony's  Hospital. 
Oklahoma  City,  conducted  by  Dr.  C.  J.  Fishman,  Neu- 
rologist for  the  Oklahoma  University  Medical  College,  in 
compliance  with  his  personal  request.  I  was  undressed 
and  examined  before  the  class  of  students.  It  is  to  be  re- 
gretted that  we  have  not  space  to  give  his  excellent  lec- 
ture in  full,  but  will  have  to  content  ourselves  with  points 
he  made  which  have  not  been  elaborated  elsewhere  in  this 
book. 

\)v.  Irishman's  findings  were  such  as  caused  him  to 
remark:  'Thus  far  I  agree  with  those  who  have  pro- 
nounced this  case  Freidrich's.  My  decision  will  rest 
upon  the  next  experiment.  If  there  is  eapella  reflex  we 
will  know  it  is  Multiple  Sclerosis.  If  it  is  absent  the  case 
is  obviously   Freidrich's  Ataxia." 

On  examining  my  eyes  Dr.  Fishman  found  one  pupil 
slightly  larger  than  the  other  -which  is  a  common  condi- 
tion in  several  nervous  diseases.  The  eyes  appeared  to 
accommodate  to  Lighl  and  distance  fairly  well,  lie  found 
eapella    reflex.      He    did    not    try  the   elbows.      This   is   the 

first  time  in  many  years  reflex  has  been  present.  Dr. 
1).  E.  McCarty,  M.  D.  Osteopath,  Chiropractic  and  Spon- 
dylo-therapist,  of  El  Reno,   examined   my   eyes  six   hours 


134  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

later  and  found  them  lacking  power  of  accommodation. 
This  does  not  show  that  either  doctor  was  wrong,  but 
simply  proves  what  has  been  stated  elsewhere  that  my 
condition  is  peculiar,  fluctuating  between  tension  and  re- 
laxation, hyperaethesia  and  anaesthesia. 

This  brought  to  mind  a  few  details  that  occurred 
years  ago  when  I  first  began  to  notice  failing  capacity 
which  caused  me  to  report  to  the  West  Side  Hospital, 
Chicago,  for  treatment.  The  doctors  there  found  my  ac- 
commodation so  far  lacking,  that  in  order  to  enable  me  to 
hold  my  position  they  gave  me  an  eye-salve  to  enable  me 
to  see.  These  ointments  as  experimentally  prepared,  con- 
tained at  different  times,  atropine,  dubosia,  or  bella- 
donna. Its  object  was  to  keep  the  pupils  dilated  to  dis- 
count pupilary  interference  and  enable  maximum  eye 
power.  Prisms  were  also  used  in  effort  to  overcome 
diplopia. 

Since,  accommodation  and  visual  powers  are  not  to 
be  depended  upon.  The  power  of  accommodation  is  sel- 
dom present.  Disappearance  of  vision  is  only  a  matter  of 
a  few  moments  or  seconds,  always.  When  I  have  had 
rest,  happened  to  sleep  well  and  am  at  my  best,  my  vision 
is  pretty  sharp.  A  little  use  of  the  eyes  makes  everything 
blurred,  foggy,  misty.  When  physically  weary,  I  often 
cannot  see  across  a  room  to  recognize  features.  Use  of 
the  eyes  makes  the  outlines  of  buildings  look  ragged  as  if 
they  were  tottering.  Later,  I  only  see  half  of  the  object 
looked  upon — perhaps  the  right  side  will  be  clear  and 
the  left  blank.  Again,  things  seem  "cob-webby."  Or 
the  horizon  has  an  appearance  as  if  obstructed  by  swarms 
of  gnats;  again  there  will  be  a  blank  spot  straight  ahead, 
while  on  the  sides  everything  is  distinct.  Glasses  do  not 
help. 

Too  much  importance  should  not  be  attached  to  re- 
flexes. I  have  been  without  elbow  reflex  for  years,  yet 
have  had  pretty  good  use  of  my  arms.  Dr.  M.  W.  Hoge 
of  Washington  Medical  College,  St.  Louis,  found  no  re- 
flexes. Those  not  initiated  into  medical  lore  can  be 
amused  by  an  experiment  showing  reflex  action.  Simply 
sit  on  the  edge  of  a  chair  and  raise  the  heel  of  the  foot. 
Involuntary  vibration  will  result.  Pressure  on  the  ball 
of  the  foot  of  a  person  reclining  will  produce  the  same 
result  if  properly  done.  The  jumping  or  tremor  should 
continue  as  long  as  the  position  is  maintained.  Dr.  Hoge 
tried  for  this  evidence  of  spinal  health  and  found  only 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  135 

pseudo-clonic.     Thai   is,  the  action   ceased   after  two 
three  spasmodic  efforts,  showing  that  the  nerve  centers 
did  not   receive  energy  fast  enough  to  function,  proving 
cell  debility. 

Furthermore,  examination  at  another  time  would 
have  shown  no  reflex  action.  It  is  found  only  in  com- 
pany with  other  symptoms  experienced  upon  special  ner- 
vous irritation,  such  as  sleeplessness  and  genital  phe- 
nomena. Abstracted  attention  exclusion  of  the  action 
of  the  conscious  mind— would  leave  the  body  minus  this 
psciido-manifestat  ion. 

Dr.  Pishman  had  his  students  feel  of  my  limbs.  An 
I  am  75  pounds  lighter  than  1  ought  to  be,  I  am  not  what 
could  be  termed  "fat."    He  observed: 

"In  the  examination  of  a  patient,  it  should  be  remem- 
bered that  there  is  an  atrophy  from  disuse  as  well  as  from 
nervous  disease.  In  the  former  case  the  muscles  may  be 
withered,  but  are  hard,  firm.  In  the  case  of  atrophy  from 
nervous  disease  the  Mesh  is  flacid,  flabby,  as  in  the  case 
of  tins  subject." 

Those  who  feel  of  my  limbs  on  the  streets  should 
know  thai  I  wear  two  suits  of  heavy  wool  underwear  and 
two  pair  of  socks  all  the  year,  in  addition  to  heavy  wool 
outer  garments.  Also  that  I  have  had  massage  and  vi- 
bration, the  free  use  of  oils,  such  as  cotton-seed  oil.  lin- 
seed oil.  cocoanut-butter-oil,  cocoa  butter,  vaseline  and 
olive  oil  for  some  years,  which  might  make  a  difference 
in  the  "feel"  and  size  of  my  body.  1  am  five  feet  eleven 
and  one-half  inches  in  height  and  weigh  about  115  pounds. 

Often  someone  who  has  a  smattering  of  information 
about  nervous  diseases  will  ask  if  I  have  to  use  a  catheter.' 
When  I  reply  I  have  not  used  one  except  rectally  for 
high  enemas,  he  expresses  contempt  for  my  representa- 
tions. Such  persons  cannot  be  aware  that  there  is  only  a 
thin  partition  between  the  rectum  and  prostate  gland 
which  surrounds  the  neck  of  the  bladder.  Vessicular 
contraction  can  be  relieved  by  relaxing  medicines  intro- 
duced into  the  rectum.  Also  by  the  direct  application 
of  digit  stimulation  through  the  rectum  as  well  as  over 
the  pubic  bone,  will  generally  accomplish  evacuation  of 
the  bladder.  To  this  end  rectal  dilation  is  a  practice 
which  cannot  be  too  highly  recommended  and  has  been 
in  daily  practice  with  the  author  for  many  years. 

When  over  tired,  1  experience  difficulty  in  articula- 
tion    and     swallowing-  a     tendency     to     Strangle — which 


136  AN  ODD  SOLDIERY 

would  seem  to  indicate  some  embarassment  of  the  me- 
dulla. My  tongue  is  usually  trembly  as  are  my  hands 
when  1  am  at  all  fatigued. 

It  is  hoped  no  one  will  fancy  these  statements  are 
made  as  an  effort  to  convince  anyone  that  the  writer  is 
afflicted  with  locomotor  ataxia,  Freidrich's  ataxia,  scle- 
rosis, paraplegia,  Landry's  palsy,  mange,  epizootic  or  the 
pipp.  Its  object  is  to  show  why  the  author  can  look  any- 
one straight  in  the  eye  and  say :  "I  have  been  down  many 
years — unable  to  walk,  sit,  use  my  eyes  to  any  consider- 
able extent  or  exert  in  any  way.  I  have  done  all  for  my- 
self that  a  human  could  have  done.  Everything  has  been 
done  for  me  along  medical  and  surgical  lines  that  could 
be  recommended  by  the  brightest,  cleverest  men  in  that 
line  of  work,  but  without  appreciable  benefit." 

Gold,  silver,  copper,  nickel,  iron,  zinc,  lead,  potash, 
soda,  lime,  aluminum,  manganese,  phosphorus,  raw  fresh 
blood,  oils,  extracts  from  living  animals  and  the  vege- 
table world,  as  well  as  many  inventions  have  been  em- 
ployed without  help — unless  it  be  that  their  use  has  pro- 
longed my  life. 

I  have  not  had  bed  sores  but  have  had  pus  pockets. 
My  skin  is  fairly  healthy,  except  that  the  surface  is  usu- 
ally cool.  Profuse  perspiration  results  from  the  applica- 
tion of  heat,  before  the  body  becomes  warm.  Numerous 
warty  growths  and  moles,  as  well  as  little  red  spots  like 
blood  blisters  on  my  body,  are  all  that  would  indicate 
the  presence  of  any  disease,  so  far  as  the  skin  is  con- 
cerned. 

On  a  street  corner  in  Tulsa,  Okla.,  may  be  seen  a  man 
Avho  has  been  in  a  wheel  chair  thirty  years.  His  name  is 
A.  R.  Gregg  and  he  resides  at  515  E.  3rd  St.  His  bowels 
and  bladder. are  not  paralyzed  and  he  is  physically  strong 
and  a  perfect  man  in  every  way.  But  thirty  years  ago  a 
horse  kicked  him  in  the  back.  Since  then,  his  limbs  will 
not  support  him  enough  to  enable  him  to  walk.  He  has 
perfect  sensation  and  can  move  his  legs,  which  are  not 
wasted  or  cold.  He  weighs  close  to  200  pounds.  He 
spent  .+2000  trying  to  get  a  cure  and  then  decided  that 
t  real  ment  was  useless. 

There  is  another  man  in  Tulsa  who  lias  been  unable 
to  walk  for  fifteen  years.  He  also  has  sensation,  is  con- 
stitutionally in  good  health,  and  his  bladder  and  bowels 
are  normal.  He  is  the  call  clerk  for  the  Hasty  Messenger 
Service  and  sits  at  a  desk  all  day.     His  history  is  simply 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  137 

that  lit-  went  to  bed  one  aighl  feeling  all  right  hut  awoke 
next  morning  to  find  lie  could  not  move  his  Limbs.  Be 
lias  noi  been  able  to  move  them  since.  His  Limbs  are  not 
wasted  nor  particularly  susceptible  to  cold. 

So  you  sec,   dear   reader,   there  are  a    few   cases  even 

more  peculiar  than  mine. 


In  Los  Angeles  a  lady  came  along  one  day  and  said: 
'I  have  just  returned  from  Germany  where  I  have 
been  taking  special  courses  in  Medicine  following  my 
graduation  from  the  best  Institutions  of  Medicine  in  this 
country.  I  want  to  do  you  good.  I  have  heard  of  you. 
hut  you  do  not  know  me,  which  does  not  matter.  If  you 
will  have  them.  1  wish  to  give  you  some  prescriptions 
which  I  am  confident  will  benefit  you." 

"I  will  be  very  glad  to  get  help,"  I  replied. 
■I  can  see  by  your  eyes  that  you  have  NEPHRITIS 
— Bright 's  Disease.  Your  kidneys  must  have  been  grad- 
ually breaking  for  years.  Some  of  your  symptoms  are 
the  results  of  poisonous  gases  arising  from  debris  which 
should  be  expelled  from  the  system." 

I  received  her  suggestions  but  received  no  benefit 
from  the  medicines.  The  ache  across  the  kidneys  con- 
tinued at  intervals  as  before.  As  formerly,  for  many 
years,  my  urine  continued  more  foul  than  feces,  flocu- 
lent,  fleecy,  opaque,  with  heavy  white  deposit  in  abun- 
dance. 

Referring  to  aches  and  pains,  I  should  not  fail  to  add 
thai  I  have  had  a  good  deal  of  that  sort  of  thing  from 
chronic  appendicitis.  As  my  heart  could  not  stand  an 
operation.   I   have  to  rely  upon  palliative   measures. 

Very  often,  persons  afflicted  with  paralysis  have  as 
much  vigor  and  health  as  they  ever  had.  I  give  these 
points  about  my  condition  so  thai  those  who  suppose  I 
"have  good  health  and  feel  good  otherwise."  will  have 
an  opportunity  to  learn  thai  I  have  now  and  have  had  all 
along,  quite  a  few  things  to  harass  me  besides  those  which 
may  seem   best   advertised. 

It  has  been  found  that  colon  bacilli  have  wandered 
into  my  bladder  which  has  been  the  cause  of  a  few  blad- 
der attacks.  Colon  bacilli  are  \rvy  necessary  in  the  colon 
and  do  beneficent  work  in  their  proper  place,  but  they 
can  sure  make  trouble  when  they  get  in  the  wrong  pew. 

1  have  had  many  friends  who  were  doctors.     One  was 


138  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

Dr.  McMillan,  Chiropractor,  of  La  Salle,  111.  At  the  time 
I  needed  a  little  help  in  his  line,  which  he  gladly  ad- 
ministered, gratis.  In  one  of  our  visits,  the  following 
conversation  occured: 

"Doctor,  it  makes  a  man  brave  to  know  that  he  is 
right.  I  need  to  be  brave.  Would  you  mind  being  in- 
terrogated a  bit  along  pathological  lines?" 

"Not  a  bit.  Glad  to  be  of  any  help  or  comfort  to 
you  that  I  can  in  any  way,"  he  replied  graciously. 

"Will  you  kindly  tell  me  what  the  difference  is  be- 
tween paralysis  and  locomotor  ataxia?"  I  inquired. 

"Well,"  he  returned,  "they  are  practically  the  same 
thing.  Ataxia  is  a  symptom  found  in  nervous  fevers, 
and  paralysis  is  a  frequent  result.  In  both  instances, 
there  is  destruction  of  the  spinal  cord.  In  ataxia,  the" 
cause  is  hardening  and  in  myelitis,  it  is  inflammation. 
Cerebral  clots  are  different  in  that  the  interference  in 
nervous  impulse  is  met  in  the  brain  instead  of  in  the 
cord." 

'When  my  trouble  first  came  upon  me,  I  noticed 
that  sensation  was  delayed — I  did  not  feel  a  wound 
sharply  at  the  time,  but  I  got  the  ache  and  soreness 
after  it  had  been  done,  all  right.  Is  it  not  possible  to 
have  a  paralysis  of  motor  nerves  and  the  sensory  nerves 
register  nearly  normally,  or  in  another  case,  could  not 
the  sensory  nerves  be  impaired  and  there  be  no  great 
decrease  in  motor  ability?" 

"Why,  certainly,"  the  doctor  replied. 

"When  I  have  told  some  interrogators  that,  they 
have  said  I  was  deceiving  or  deceived — that  such  could 
not  be  the  case,"  I  returned. 

'If  any  layman  or  doctor  says  that  in  paralysis  there 
cannot  be  any  conceivable  condition  or  combination  of 
partial  or  complete  cessation  of  motor  or  sensory  func- 
tioning, that  man  is  ignorant!"  the  doctor  replied  with 
finality. 

Still  another  trouble  which  has  harassed  me  and 
which  has  not  been  elsewhere  mentioned  in  this  book,  is 
that  of  hemorrhage  of  the  bowels.  The  attacks  have 
grown  in  severity  and  frequency  with  the  years.  The 
last  was  at  Ardmore,  Okla.  (Nov..  1014),  where  I  was 
treated  by  Dr.  W.  Hardy  of  the  Hardy  Sanatarium.  In 
one  day  (24  hours)  I  had  passage  21  times,  all  containing 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  139 

blood,  or  blood  and  mucus — some  stools  consisting  en- 
tirely of  blood.  High  fever,  rapid  pulse,  aches,  pains, 
and  contractions  accompanied  this  condition.  I  was  on 
the  street  trying  to  sell  one  day  before  I  had  to  give  up 
and  give  entire  attention  to  treatment  and  was  told  by 
many  as  usual.  "Are  you  really  afflicted — why  you  look 
well  in  the  face.''" 

After  these  days  of  suffering  and  strain,  and  in  spite 
of  the  fact  that  much  of  the  time  I  have  nol  been  able  to 
take  food  or  water,  I  slid  "look  well  in  the  face."  Those 
who  belong  to  the  embryonic  Sherlock  class,  and  those 
who  think  they  help  the  sick  get  well  by  telling  them 
"You  don't  look  a  bit  sick,"  please  note  that  such  talk 
brings  no  help  or  comfort  to  me.  Looks  do  not  spell  a 
thing  and  such  remarks  might  have  a  little  suspicion  or 
insinuation  behind  them.  I've  been  "looking  better'' 
many  years.  There  are  things  in  life  more  vital  than 
looks.  Most  talk  is  merely  talk — Ijttle  thought  or  perma- 
nence behind  it — and  talk  is  the  cheapest  commodity  yet. 
If  there  is  ever  any  marked  improvement  in  my  condi- 
tion it  will  be  recognizable  by  equivalent  change  of  life — 
regime.  It  is  no  more  difficult  for  an  invalid  to  know 
when  he  is  better,  than  it  is  for  a  normal  man  to  know 
when  he  has  taken  sick. 

The  title  given  this  book  is  proper  because  my  exper- 
ience in  life,  has  not  been  "Serene  I  fold  my  hands  and 
wait"  and  "My  own  will  come  to  me."  I  have  had  to 
positively  know  my  property  and  then  go  after  it,  fight 
along  the  road — fight  for  life,  fight  for  my  rights  and 
wrest  from  Fate  and  Adversity  and  Adverse  Circum- 
stance, that  which  should  have  been  tendered  me  with 
freedom  and  grace. 


140  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Conclusion. 

PERHAPS  I  should  anticipate  one  more  question: 
"What  do  you  expect  of  the  future?"  I  wish  I 
might  get  well.  But  experience  has  shown  me 
that  having  fire,  utensils  and  disposition,  will  not  produce 
a  dinner.  Pills  and  syrup  are  not  LIFE,  nor  are  doc- 
tors superhuman  creators.  I  have  done  everything  a 
man  could  do — have  made  every  effort  a  human  could 
make,  repeatedly,  and  intend  to  stick  to  the  habit  of 
doing  my  best  as  long  as  I  live.  In  other  words,  I  will 
continue  eager,  alert,  striving  for  it. 

I  have  learned  that  happiness  does  not  depend  upon 
wealth  or  position.  I  perceive  that  people  are  spoiling 
their  lives  by  pursuing  the  bauble  of  pleasure.  I  have 
learned  that  wholesome,  lasting  joy  only  is  elevating, 
while  that  the  world  esteems  "pleasure"  is  usually  more 
or  less  debasing — and  certainly  its  charm  is  elusive.  That 
which  delights  today  may  confidently  be  expected  to  dis- 
gust ere  long. 

I  perceive  that  the  happy  man  is  he  who  does  all  the 
good  he  can.  and  makes  manful  effort  to  do  right  at  all 
times,  and  enjoys  labor.  Furthermore,  that  there  is  joy 
in  realizing  that  one  has  discharged  duties  precisely,  ac- 
complished much ;  has  been  tolerant  and  receptive. 

I  expect  that  the  future  will  be  largely  a  repetition 
of  the  past.  I  expect  that  life  will  always  hold  prob- 
lems of  some  sort.  Therefore,  the  best  thing  to  do  is  to 
try  to  keep  up-to-date  in  the  solution  thereof.  I  expect 
to  find  credulous,  kindly,  genial  people  and  I  expect  to 
find  grouchy,   calloused,   skeptical   people. 

As  in  the  past,  I  expect  in  the  future  to  go  to  cities 
where  I  have  never  been.  I  trust  I  will  have  fair  suc- 
cess in  establishing  a  welcome  and  CONVINCING  peo- 
ple that  it  will  be  perfectly  proper  to  treat  me  as  nicely 
as  if  I  were  well,  or  as  if  I  did  not  need  business.     And 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  141 

also,  I  therefore  expect  many  a  heartache  upon  having 
to  leave  territory  where  I  have  finally  accomplished  this 
much,  because  people  will  be  as  human,  and  if  you  will 
excuse  my  mentioning  it,  as  thoughtless  and  selfish  in 
the  places  1  have  );ot  yet  visited,  as  they  were  where  I 
have  already  been.  And  as  a  consequence,  1  will  have 
to  find  new  customers — and  have  no  permanent  abiding 
place — and  being  handicapped,  will  have  to  take  whal  I 
can  get — wrest — from  a  much  abused  public.  But  it  is 
all  right.  I  am  glad  I  am  myself.  At  the  time  when  it 
seems  as  it*  the  worsl  is  about  to  happen,  and  everything 
is  sorely  against  me — God  will  send  deliverance.  But  in 
the  future,  just  as  in  the  past,  life  will  ever  be  like  April 
weather. 

Sometimes  a  little  cloud  appears  in  the  sky — and 
then  another — and  then  another — and  still  another. 
They  grow  and  spread,  and  become  darker  and  thicker 
every  moment.  Suddenly  the  thunder  sends  forth  its 
deafening  crash!  The  wind  howls  in  chorus — the  Light- 
ning strikes  and  tears.  One  sees  how  helpless  is  man  to 
combat  1  lie  forces  of  nature — to  control  or  overcome  the 
hateful  coalescence  of  circumstances. 

But  presently  the  storm  passes.  The  clouds  drifl 
away.  Once  more  high  heaven  displays  its  lovely  blue. 
The  birds  sing.  Raindrops  sparkle  like  myriad  dia- 
monds on  every  leafed  bough,  every  blade  of  grass,  and 
every  smiling  flower's  face.  The  dusty  earth  is  glad  it 
rained.  The  sun  dips  low — and  soon  is  lost  in  a  glorious 
rosy  promise  of  a  bright  tomorrow. 

Another  question  wihch  I  am  frequently  asked  is. 
"How  far  did  you  fall?" 

"About  twenty-eight  feet,"  1  reply. 
"It  does  not  seem  to  mo,"  returns  the  skeptic,  "that  a 
fall  of  that  distance  would  be  likely  to  produce  such  dire 
effects  as  you  claim  to  have  experienced.  Furthermore, 
the  theory  of  hereditarv  disease,  has  been  Long  since  ex- 
ploded." 

In  Dallas,  Tex.,  1  met  a  man  who  was  a  decorator  h\ 
trade.  He  had  worked  on  the  dome  of  the  administration 
building,  at  the  world's  fair  in  Chicago.  Due  to  some 
defect  in  the  scaffolding,  he  fell  to  the  cement  floor.  185 
feet.  At  the  time  I  saw  him,  he  was  physically  as  good 
a  man  as  you  ever  saw,  the  only  defect  about  him  was 
that  one  Limb  was  about  two  inches  shorter  than  the  other. 
In  falling  his  body  had  struck  another  scaffolding,  break- 


142  AN  ODD  SOLDIERY 

ing  the  left  leg  in  two  places,  and  the  right  in  one  place. 
It  also  broke  his  collar  bone,  and  one  arm.  These  were 
attended  to  properly,  and  he  was  again  at  work  in  a  com- 
paratively short  time. 

In  Redwood  City,  California,  I  was  told  of  a  shoe- 
maker there,  who  makes  a  living  cobbling  in  a  wheel- 
chair. He  is  in  perfect  health,  his  only  difficulty  being 
that  he  cannot  walk,  as  he  is  paralyzed  below  the  waist. 
His  trouble  came  about  from  the  ground  twisting  under 
him  during  the  San  Francisco  earth  quake.  It  seems  the 
whole  earth  in  the  vicinity  of  where  he  was  walking, 
writhed  in  awful  contortions,  which  twisted  the  steel 
frame  buildings  into  some  resemblance  to  a  barber  pole. 

There  is  another  man  in  the  poor  house  at  San  Fran- 
cisco who  is  in  the  same  condition.  He  got  his  trouble 
in  a  tug  of  war.  The  rope  broke,  and  he  being  the  end 
man,  got  the  twist.  Please  note  that  neither  of  these  fel- 
lows had  a  fall  at  all.  There  have  been  cases  of  spinal 
fracture  resulting  in  paralysis  or  death  from  a  fall  off  a 
horse. 

Skeptics  and  some  others  ask,  "You  have  a  good  ap- 
petite, don't  you?" 

No  doubt  my  appetite  has  been  better  than  it  would 
have  been,  had  I  had  less  self  control  or  disposition  to 
exercise  it.  In  other  words,  had  I  lived  as  most  people 
lived.  There  have  been  times  in  my  life,  when  to  eat  a 
little  meat,  ivould  cause  my  bowels  to  bleed.  I  have 
always  had  to  be  careful  to  avoid  certain  things.  For 
the  past  few  years,  I  have  had  to  be  careful  as  to  quan- 
tity, time,  and  frequency,  as  well  as  to  sort  of  food.  Of 
late  I  find  I  can  eat  with  most  freedom,  of  the  following 
foods: 

Graham,  whole  wheat  and  corn,  in  bread  form  (not 
too  new),  rice  and  barley.  All  kinds  of  soup,  (except 
those  containing  cabbage,  onions,  garlic,  peas  and  beans). 

In  vegetables  I  can  eat  spinach,  carrots,  mashed, 
boiled  or  baked  potatoes :  white  sweet  potato.  Lettuce, 
asparagus,  celery,  raw  or  stewed,  sparingly  of  beets, 
cauliflower   and    rhudabaga. 

In  meats,  I  can  eat  beef  and  mutton  in  any  form, 
lamb  and  chicken. 

In  fruits  I  can  eat  sparingly,  apples,  raw  or  cooked, 
cherries  and  grapes.  JFor  beverages,  I  can  drink  only 
water,  except  very  rarely,  a  little  diluted  grape  juice. 

Must   entirely  avoid  sugar  and   as  far  as   possible, 


r 
pi 

13 


2 


144  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

grease.     When  possible,   instead  of  lard,  I  have  Crisco 
used,  and  can  eat  butter  on  my  bread. 

For  many  years  I  depended  largely  upon  milk  and 
eggs,  and  it  has  been  a  great  hardship  to  give  them  up. 

Another  questoin  is  asked,  "Do  things  taste  good?" 
When  my  condition  has  been  such  that  I  would  vomit  as 
soon  as  I  swallowed  anything,  food  has  still  tasted  good. 

Another  question  I  am  often  asked  is,  "You  sleep 
well  don't  you?" 

For  about  two  years  before  I  got  down,  I  only  slept 
on  an  average  of  about  two  hours  out  of  the  twenty-four. 
All  these  years  I  have  been  very  much  bothered  by  In- 
somnia. Some  nights  I  sleep  pretty  well ;  others  little, 
or  not  at  all.  I  usually  feel  better  when  I  get  a  fair 
amount  of  sleep,  but  in  order  to  sleep  at  all,  I  have  to  get 
in  a  house  and  neighborhood,  where  there  is  no  one  mov- 
ing about  or  other  noise  after  ten  o'clock  at  night.  This 
means  dodging  dogs,  cats,  babies,  late  retirers  and  early 
risers.  Also  street  cars,  railroads,  vehicles,  bed-bugs,  and 
mice.  During  these  two  years  and  at  intervals  since,  I 
also  experienced  other  phenomina  which  would  not  be 
proper  to  place  in  a  book  for  general  circulation. 

Another  system  of  treatment  which  has  not  been  re- 
ferred to  may  be  worthy  of  mention.  I  heard  of  a  Doc- 
tor and  his  son,  who  were  both  physicians  of  extraordin- 
ary capacity.  After  they  had  examined  me,  the  senior 
observed,  "I  know  of  but  one  thing  further  to  recom- 
mend in  your  case.  Nervous  ability  cannot  exist  with- 
out the  presence  of  phosphorus  in  the  tissues.  A  great 
German  specialist  has  evolved  a  theory,  that  a  certain 
solution  can  be  driven  through  the  skin,  into  the  spinal 
cord  by  means  of  galvanic  electricity.  This  method  of  in- 
troducing free  phosphorus,  where  it  is  most  needed,  is 
likely  to  bring  about  happy  results." 

The  plan  was  tried,  but  the  only  result  was  a  lot  of 
pain,  and  a  bad  burn  from  the  galvanic  electricity. 
#         #         #         #         * 

In  spite  of  all  that  is  said  from  start  to  finish  of  this 
book,  there  will  be  one  or  two  who  fancy  they  can  sug- 
gest one  thing  I  have  not  yet  tried  to  improve  my  condi- 
tion. For  their  benefit,  I  beg  leave  to  add  that  on  many 
occasions,  years  ago,  I  tried  the  use  of  a  reclining  wheel 
chair  which  could  be  placed  at  any  angle,  with  a  view  to 
training  the  circulation  to  meeting  a  changed  condition. 
I  did  not  go  down  all  at  once  and  never  try  to  take  an 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER 

elevated  position  again.  My  hearl  could  not  stand  even 
a  slight  change.  1  can  work  more,  exerl  more  and  feel 
best  when  1  am  always  in  the  position  as  found  in  my  ve- 
hicle. 1  cannot  sleep  with  my  head  Lower  nor  can  I  get 
along  with  feet  lower  or  body  higher. 

No  doubt  in  future  as  in  the  past,  occasionally  some 
bright  Sherlock  Holmes  Avill  say:  "I've  got  you  now. 
You  say  you  cannot  sit  up  but  I  notice  you  have  had  lots 
of  dental  work  done.  How  did  you  get  it?  Or,  "I  notice 
you  have  just  had  a  hair-cut,  If  you  cannot  sit  up,  how 
did  you  get  it?" 

I  trust  I  may  be  able  to  produce  some  photographs 
which  will  clear  up  these  deep  mysteries  by  the  next  time 
an  edition  is  printed  of  Volume  II  of  this  book,  entitled 
"Fifty  Thousand   Miles  Back-Ridden." 


Truly,  my  life  has  thus  far  been  ''An  Odd  Soldiery." 
The  phases  of  battle  in  my  life  are  beyond  description. 
No  accoutrements  can  be  provided  in  anticipation  of  the 
needs  of  the  future,  other  than  are  found  in  this  humble 
but  earnest  effort — this  book.  If  this  member  of  the  1914 
edition  is  as  kindly  received  as  most  of  those  of  the  edi- 
tion of  1911  were,  then  I  may  feel  that  so  far  as  the  pa- 
tient reader  is  concerned,  1  may  rejoice  in  a  proclamation 
of  Peace,  and  1  may  know  we  are  on  a  footing  of  justice 
and  I  also  trust,  loving  good-will. 

Now  we  have  come  to  the  last  question — "How  do 
you  keep  so  cheerful?"  The  answer  is  easy.  "Thy 
praise  shall  be  ever  in  my  mouth."  "'In  all  things  give 
thanks."  "My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee."  "Hold  fast 
that  which  thou  hast,  until  I  come."  I  have  been  able 
to  keep  good  cheer  because  I  know  that  in  God's  good 
time  the  things  that  are  shall  be  no  more.  Then,  "There 
shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  crying,  nor 
any  more  pain."  And  I  hope  to  be  among  that  vast 
throng  whom  no  man  could  number,  who  sing  the  song 
of  the  redeemed — those  of  whom  it  was  said,  "These  are 
they  who  came  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have  washed 
their  robes  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb.  They  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither  thirst  any 
more,  neither  shall 'the  sun  light  on  them,  nor  any  heat. 
But  the  Lamb  that  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  shall 


146 


AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 


feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them  unto  living  fountains  of 
water,  and  God  shall  wipe    away    all    tears    from    their 


eves. 


I  keep  good  cheer  because  I  say,  "My  God,  my  times 
are  in  Thy  hands,"  and  I  trust  He  will  bring  to  pass  and 
as  brought  to  pass  that  which  will  be  best  for  me  and 
others.    Thus  I  say,  "Even  so,  come  Lord  Jesus." 


FINIS  OPUS 

GORONAT 


ARTHUR  F.  PULLER  147 


(;.  15.   RUSSELL 

Doctor  of  Divinity 
1324  Valencia  St., 
Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

To  Whom  It  May  Concern:  — 

I  have  personally  known  Arthur  F.  Fuller  for  many 
years  and  it  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  have  this  opportunity 
of  stating  that  I  know  him  to  be  worthy  of  the  confidence  of 
all  people. 

I  have  read  much  of  his  writings  and  consider  that,  in 
view  of  the  difficulties  under  which  he  has  had  to  labor,  he  is 
a  wonder.  His  writings  in  both  prose  and  poetry,  are  simply 
superb.  In  my  judgment,  he  deserves  to  rank  with  the  great 
authors  of  the  age. 

Most  Cordially, 

(Signed)      G.   B.   RUSSELL. 


AUBREY  PARKER 

Author — Journalist — Lecturer 

414  Fifth  Ave., 

Salt  Lake  City,  Utah. 

To  Whom  It  May  Concern: 

It  is  truly  refreshing  to  meet  in  this  age  of  haste — of 
lightning  lunches — a  spirit  attuned  to  sing  of  those  things 
worth  while,  among  the  tinsel  and  sham,  in  this  day  of  sur- 
face satisfaction.  Truly,  this  poet  "Learned  in  sorrow  that 
which  he  teaches  in  song."  He  reveals  a  character  which  has 
stood  the  "acid  test." 

Many  of  Fuller's  poetic  effusions  are  truly  "Jewels  in 
setting  rare."  Having  "trodden  the  wine-press"  of  sorrow 
alone,  the  singer  knows  well  his  song.  For  "out  of  the  fulness 
of  his  heart"  does  he  sing. 

Some  of  these  poems  are  bound  to  live — they  are  among 
those  which  the  world  will  not  willingly  let  die.  For  only  the 
sufferer  can  give  true  solace  to  a  sufferer.  Arthur  Franklin 
Fuller  fills  the  bill.  His  words  will  live  for  they  vibrate  with 
a  life  regenerate. 

(Signed)      AUBREY  PARKER. 


14S  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 


Los  Angeles. 
Dear  Friend:  — 

I  have  been  a  shuttle  for  the  past  two  days  weaving  back 
and  forth  among  the  streets  where  you  have  heretofore  been 
found,  in  an  effort  to  see  you.  Concluding  that  I  am  not  a 
Sherlock  Holmes  I  am  now  turning  the  hunt  over  to  Uncle 
Sam's  hired  men. 

I  noticed  in  the  leaflet  you  gave  me  the  other  day,  that 
reading  was  a  helpful  service  to  you  in  your  study  and  I  want 
to  tell  you  that  I  would  be  very  glad  to  read  to  you,  if  you 
would  like  to  have  me  do  so.  I  would  make  my  time  suit 
your  convenience  as  far  as  possible.  But  if  it  makes  no  dif- 
ference to  you,  I  would  be  less  apt  to  have  other  demands 
made  upon  me  mornings  between  ten  o'clock  and  noon. 

I,  for  one,  desire  to  recognize  the  Brotherhood  of  Man  in 
a  practical  manner.  It  would  give  me  pleasure  to  help  you 
financially,  to  the  extent  of  my  meagre  ability.  Anything 
which  might  be  done  by  a  sincere  friend  in  this  way,  should 
not  be  regarded  as  alms,  for  it  would  be  merely  an  expression 
of  true  friendship — or  of  a  family  sharing  in  blessings  meant 
to  be  general  but  which  through  some  obstruction  in  the  course 
of  circumstance,  were  diverted  from  some  of  their  channels. 

An  honest  independence  in  the  vigorous  is  commendable; 
but  joyous  acceptance  is  just  as  beautiful,  when  things  have 
gone  wrong  with  one  of  the  family.  In  any  case,  since  "it  is 
more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive,"  the  one  who  receives  is 
the  true,  benefactor,  through  giving  an  opportunity  for  the 
"more  blessedness"  to  those  who  are  glad  to  pay  for  it,  by 
sharing  their  enough  or  their  abundance  with  a  brother  who 
accepts  the  less  blessedness.  I  know  my  logic  is  good  but  I 
will  not  weary  you  with  a  further  expression  of  it. 

If  you  will  kindly  drop  me  a  postal  and  let  me  know 
when  I  can  see  you,  it  will  be  appreciated. 

Sincerely, 


(MRS.)    JOSEPHINE   L.  BANNISTER. 


Los  Angeles. 
Mr.  Fuller:  — 

I  have  just  finished  reading  your  books,  "An  Odd  Sol- 
diery" and  "Fifty  Thousand  Miles,  Back-Ridden."  My  sym- 
pathy for  you  is  deep  and  sincere,  but  my  admiration  for  you 
I  have  not  the  words  to  express. 

What  you  have  accomplished  under  such  difficulties — 
such  terrible  handicaps — is  simply  wonderful.  You  are  more 
than  entitled  to  a  Gold  Medal  and  a  life-pension  in  recogni- 
tion of  your  bravery — such   fine  undaunted  courage. 

Your  name  should  go  down  in  history  among  the  truly 
great.     You  are  one  grand  character. 

B.  A.  WELLS. 


ARTHUR  F.  FULLER  149 

NEW   FIELD   LABORATORY 

East  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

My  Dear  Brother:  — 

Enclosed  please  find  $1  for  one  year's  subscription  to 
your  Magnet.  I  believe  in  you  and  am  sure  that  by  your 
example  of  life  you  are  doing  a  work  for  God  that  no  physi- 
cally perfect  man  could  do.  And  because  I  believe  in  you,  ! 
say  this:  If  you  reach  a  point  where  you  need  a  friend,  let 
me  know.  I  may  not  be  able  to  do  much,  but  I  shall  always 
be  able  to  do  a  little. 

If  you  get  out  any  new  publications,  let  me  know  and  I 
will  forward  price  at  once.  I  find  your  style  intensely  inter- 
esting. 

With  sincere  good  wishes, 

Your  Sister  in  Christ, 
ELIZABETH    BURGESS. 


Chattanooga,   Tenn. 

Dear  Friend:  — 

*  *  *  I  wish  I  could  be  near  you  so  I  could  speak  to 
vou  occasionally  and  be  of  assistance  to  you. 

*  *  *  No  stretch  of  distance,  nor  lapse  of  time  can 
lessen  the  friendship  of  those  who  are  thoroughly  persuaded 
of  each  other's  worth. 

As  ever,  your  friend, 

MRS.  JOHN  B.  COSTELLO. 


GRACE   FULLER  FITZGERALD 

Christian  Science  Practitioner 

420  Union  Bids., 

San  Diego,  Cal. 

My  Dear  Friend:  — 

Manv  times  I  have  thought  of  you  and  wondered  where 
you  were  and  how?  Suddenly  you  came  before  my  mental 
vision  a  day  or  so  before  your  very  welcome  letter  came.  We 
shall  all  be'  very  glad  to  see  you  again,  and  will  do  all  we  can 
to  help  you  in  any  way  we  can. 

You  will  be  led  aright  for  you  look  to  the  One  Source  of 
all  Wisdom  for  guidance.  I  am  sorry  you  have  not  found  in 
Christian  Science  what  I  have,  but  it  makes  not  one  particle 
of  difference  in  my  interest  and  friendship  for  you.  Some  of 
my  best  and  dearest  friends  are  not  Scientists.  But  I  should 
be  very  narrow  minded  indeed  if  I  let  that  fact  bias  me  or 
lessen  my  regard  for  them.  This  is  a  very  free  world  and 
there  is  lots  of  room  for  the  many  different  creeds,  theories 
and  opinions.  We  each  have  a  perfect  right  to  believe  that 
which  seems  to  us  to  be  the  Truth,  and  suits  us  best. 

I  would  not  turn  a  straw  to  change  the  views  of  one  who 
doesn't   want   them   changed. 

The  Hesses  and  Mr.  Fitzgerald  join  me  in  love  and  best 
wishes.  Sincerely. 

GRACE   FULLER-FITZGERALD. 


150  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

Los  Angeles. 
Dear  "Heart-Courageous":  — 

I  have  thought  of  you  many  times  since  I  bade  you  good- 
bye, and  always  with  the  hope  that  your  gleanings  in  the  new 
field  were  growing  plentiful  and  not  overtaxing  your  sterngth. 
I  do  wish  that  a  way  might  be  found  to  save  you  the  weari- 
ness of  the  flesh  and  the  expenditure  of  cash  that  your  frequent 
journeys  involve.  It  requires  so  many  laborious  days — so 
many  weary  miles — to  "make  good" — such  an  oft  recurring 
"sinking  fund,"  that  ordinary  courage  would  quail  at  the 
prospect.  I  have  to  remember  that  you  have  an  invincible 
spirit,  are  of  the  stuff  that  heroes  are  made,  not  to  be  appalled 
myself,  by  your  undertakings,  whatever  the  result  of  the  bat- 
tle, where  the  odds  are  so  terribly  against  you. 

You  are  a  good  soldier  and  that's  the  main  thing  after 
all.  Some  of  your  plans  for  making  a  living  without  travel, 
may  yet  materialize.  I  shall  "hold  the  thought"  of  a  prosper- 
ous business  career  for  you  until  it  is  bodied  forth  in  reality. 
To  see  you  in  the  environments  suited  to  your  desires  and 
deservings  would  give  me  the  greatest  pleasure. 

I  thank  you  very  much  for  your  kind  expressions  of 
friendship.  That  you  over-rate  my  ability  does  not  detract 
from  my  pleasure  since  it  is  a  proof  of  your  friendly  appre- 
ciation of  my  wish  to  be  of  use  to  you.  If  "Love  laughs  at 
lover's  perjuries,"  I  think  God  smiles  benignantly  at  friend- 
ship's flatteries.  I  am  not  disposed  to  analyze  any  expressions 
of  good  will  that  come  to  me.     It  is  too  much  like  vivi-section. 

If  friendship  has  developed  from  our  chance  acquaintance, 
it  is  mutual.  Your  fortitude  in  the  most  trying  ordeal  that 
could  come  to  a  man  of  your  energy  and  intellectual  and 
artistic  gifts,  won  my  admiration  from  the  start;  and  my  in- 
creasing esteem  as  I  came  to  perceive  the  real  worth  of  your 
character  in  manly  and  lovable  qualities.  In  a  way,  the  very 
nature  of  your  trials  and  the  sort  of  life  thereby  exacted,  sub- 
jects you  to  most  deteriorating  temptations  the  more  likely  to 
undermine  character  because  they  are  so  subtle  as  to  make  it 
difficult  to  guard  against  them.  But,  the  real  integrity  of 
your  soul — its  innate  tendencies  toward  the  best,  is  your  suf- 
ficient armor. 

With  the  best  of  good  wishes, 

Sincerely  your  friend, 

(MRS.)    J.  L.   BANNISTER. 


Berkeley. 
Dear  Sir:  — 

Herewith  please  find  payment  for  your  "Book  of  Poems," 
recently  received.  The  Poems  are  certainly  delightful  and 
worthy  of  a  place  in  anyone's  library. 

With  best  wishes  for  your  success,  I  am, 

Respectfully, 

(MISS)   IRENE  McLEOD. 


ARTHUR  F.  FULT.ER  151 

San  Jose,  Cal. 

Dear  Friend:  — 

Your  Magnets  are  full  of  interest.  So  long  as  we  both 
live,  I  wish  it  sent  to  me,  if  I  can  by  any  means  pay  for  it. 
It  seems  to  me  Churches,  Schools  and  Societies,  ought  to  in- 
terest themselves  in  you,  not  as  a  matter  of  Charity,  but  be- 
cause you  deserve  better  than  you  receive  because  you  are  the 
noble,  manly  man  that  you  are. 

I  must  have  some  more  of  your  lovely  post  cards.  Hope 
our  paths  may  soon  cross  again.  Am  anxious  to  be  of  service 
to  you.  Cordially, 

MRS.  M.   C.  CUTLER. 


Berkeley,  Cal. 
My  Dear  Mr.  Fuller:  — 

Your  "Book  of  Poems"  is  beautiful.     I  shall  always  en- 
joy it.     Payment  herewith.     May  all  happiness  be  yours. 

Most   friendly, 

FRED  MAURER,  JR. 


Berkeley. 
My  Dear  Mr.  Fuller:  — 

Enclosed  please  find  payment  for  your  "Book  of  Poems." 
I  shall  always  enjoy  this  volume. 

Your  poetical  gift  of  mind  must  be  a  great  compensation 
for  your  affliction  and  must  make  life  hold  more  for  you,  per- 
haps, than  for  many  a  strong,  vigorous  man. 

With  appreciation  for  your  work  as  a  poet,  and  best 
wishes  for  your  welfare  and  success,  I  am, 

Sincerely, 

CHARLOTTE  E.  SPOONER. 


JOHN  FRANCIS  JONES 

Welsh- American  Baritone 

Studios 

Mondays  and  Fridays,  370  Sutter  St.,   San   Francisco 

Thursdays,  202   So.  2nd   St.,   San   -lose. 

Tuesdays,  Wednesdays  and  Saturdays,    111)  Waverly  St. 

Palo  Alto. 
My  Dear  Sir:  — 

Received  copy  of  your  song,  "Guide  Me,  0  Thou  Great 
Jehovah,"  a  few  "days  since.  I  deferred  writing  in  order  to 
have  plenty  of  time  in  which  to  consider  it. 

Seldom  are  any  of  the  grand  old  hymns  so  successfully 
re-set  to  music.  But  my  IDEAL  has  been  realized  in  your 
composition  for  this  good  old  hymn. 

I  like  the  broadness  and  dignity  of  both  voice  and  piano 
part   in   the   first   verse.      And    that   lightness   and   life   of   the 


152  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

second    verse    is    most    pleasing.      I    like    also    the    way    it    en- 
velopes into  its  splendid  climax. 

I  like  the  contemplative  style  of  the  last  verse — its 
broadness  and  understanding  of  theme — then  that  wondrous 
climax  at  its  close! 

I  will  sing  this  song  at  the  True  Life  Church  in  San  Jose, 
a  week  from  Sunday.  The  coming  Sunday,  the  quartette  will 
sing  your  beautiful  part-song,  "Night  Song." 

Wishing  you  the  greatest  success,  I  remain, 
Very  respectfully, 

JOHN  FRANCIS  JONES. 


352    University   St.,    Salt   Lake   City, 
Utah,  Oct.  3,  i914. 
My  Dear  Friend:  — 

Words  cannot  express  my  deep  appreciation  of  the  privi- 
lege of  having  known  you — of  the  enjoyment  of  our  associa- 
tion— the  mutual  understanding  which  is  so  rarely  met  with — 
the  genuineness  of  that  friendship  which  has  been  ours. 

The  first  time  I  looked  upon  your  face,  which  was  some 
years  ago  on  the  street  of  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  my  heart  said, 
"Worthy!"  Indeed  have  you  proven  so  and  more.  Your  life 
has  been  an  incentive  to  me  for  good.  Thus  has  my  life  been 
made  the  richer,  the  brighter,  and  the  desire  to  live  a  life  of 
duty  has  been  strengthened.  By  it  have  I  been  impelled  to 
fulfill  my  part  in  life,  well  and  cheerfully,  and  to  be  helpful 
to  all  mankind. 

This  life  is  indeed  beautiful,  and  filled  with  happiness  if 
we  will  but  strive  to  find  it  so  and  make  it  so  with  others. 

To  my  mind,  true  poetry  is  the  beautiful  study  of  life, 
and  I  am  proud  that  your  poems  are  among  those  of  my 
favorite  authors.  Well  I  know  the  grind  and  daily  suffering 
that  have  been  yours  to  enable  you  to  give  to  the  world  such 
beautiful  thoughts.  Well  also,  do  I  know  your  handicaps 
and  that  they  would  have  proven  too  much  to  an  ordinary 
man,  long  since. 

How  I  admire  that  patience — that  dauntless  courage, 
and  fortitude,  which  have  so  characterized  your  life.  Indeed 
knowing  you  so  well,  when  I  think  of  your  battle,  I  exclaim 
as  did  another  friend:    "Dauntless  Arthur!" 

Your  little  Magnet  I  enjoy  to  the  fullest — more  perhaps 
than  most  people  could,  because  I  know  you  so  well.  It 
makes  me  feel  as  if  we  had  been  privileged  to  enjoy  a  little 
chat. 

When  I  think,  dear  friend,  of  your  ability,  your  talents 
and  wonderful  gifts — those  Concerts  I  attended  which  you 
gave  from  flat  of  your  back — I  cannot  but  ask  myself:  "What 
could  this  man  not  have  accomplished  had  he  been  blessed 
with  health  and  strength?" 

But  "God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way,  His  wonders  to 
"erform."      Your    pure    and    manly    life — your    fortitude    and 


ARTHUR  F.   FULLER  153 

stick-to-it-iveness — teach  a  lesson  to  God's  children,  no  doubt, 
that  could  not  be  taught  otherwise.     God  knows  best. 

With  a  heart  full  of  gratitude  for  our  mutual   trust  and 
friendship,   and  best  wishes  in  every  way,   I  remain, 

Your  sincere  friend, 

(MISS)    CLARISSA  RADDOX. 


THE  EVENING  TIMES-STAR,  ALAMEDA,  CALIFORNIA, 

THURSDAY  EVENING,  AUGUST  1:5,  1914. 
CRIPPLE   HAS   TRAVELED   MANY  THOUSAND   MILES 

To  be  handicapped  by  loss  of  limb  or  sight  is  bad,  indeed, 
but  to  be  handicapped  as  is  Arthur  F.  Fuller,  who  cannot 
walk,  sit  nor  exert  himself  in  any  way  and  besides  suffers 
from  eye  trouble,  is  almost  beyond  comprehension.  Fuller, 
however,  is  not  discouraged  but  manages  to  make  a  good  liv- 
ing bv  selling  books  and  music  of  his  own  composition. 

Fuller  visited  in  Alameda  today.  He  has  been  so  afflicted 
since  1899  but,  by  means  of  a  push  cart  and  help  of  friends, 
he  has  managed  to  travel  over  50,000  miles. 

This  distance  means  only  that  gone  over  by  rail  and  if  the 
total  extent  of  his  travels  were  summed  up  the  distance  would 
probably  amount  to  about  100,000  miles. 

Fuller,  before  thus  afflicted,  was  a  teacher  of  music  and 
holds  a  gold  medal  for  excellence  in  that  art  and  his  many 
productions  are  of  a  very  creditable  nature. 


RIVERSIDE    DAILY    PRESS,    SATURDAY    EVENING, 

MAY  23,   1J>14. 

(Communicated) 

PLEA  FOR  WORTHY  MAN 

Editor  Press:  There  is  a  gentleman  of  misfortune  within 
our  gates  for  whom  we  would  bespeak  the  kindly  hospitality  of 
Riverside.  That  city  only  is  beautiful  where  dwells  the  spirit 
of  friendliness,  service  and  justice.  In  these  essentials  to 
our  reputation  we  hope  that  we  may  not  be  found  wanting  by 
Mr.  Arthur  F.  Fuller.  This  man,  so  sorely  crippled  in  body 
that  for  1  f>  years  he  has  lain  upon  his  back,  is  of  so  strong 
and  independent  a  spirit  that  he  demands  the  right  and  privi- 
lege of  earning  his  own  living.  This  he  does  by  selling  in  one 
city  after  another  the  fruits  of  his  labor — songs,  poems  and 
prose.  One  may  buy  in  charity,  but  having  read,  decide  that 
he  is  the  debtor  rather  than  the  benefactor.  Mr.  Fuller's  ex- 
periences, though  uniquely  personal,  yet  drive  home  truths 
of  civic  and  sociologic  import,  and  reveal  to  our  shocked  and 
shamed  eyes  a  form  of  Christianity  quite  different  from  that 
pattern  set  us  by  the  Good  Samaritan.  There  is  left  a  goodly 
train   of   hospitals   and   homes   to    show    neighborliness    to    the 


154  AN   ODD   SOLDIERY 

incapacitated  and  dependent  among  us,  but  we  permit  the 
priest  and  the  Levite  to  deal  with  the  incapacitated  and  inde- 
pendent. 

There  are  many  brave  souls  struggling  under  life's  heav- 
iest handicaps  to  gain  a  living  and  to  maintain  their  indi- 
viduality as  citizens.  And  great  and  prosperous  cities  through 
the  agency  of  their  associated  charities — Heaven  save  the 
name — bid  them  begone  from  their  streets  lest  the  sight  of 
their  afflictions  offend  or  importune  the  active  and  fortunate. 

Is  it  not  time  that  we  have  a  different  point  of  view? 
Mr.  Fuller's  50,000  miles,  traveled  on  his  back,  will  not  have 
been  in  vain  if  he  can  help  his  fellow  countrymen  to  attain  it. 

F.  P.  GRIFFITH. 


SAX  JOSE   MERCURY  HERALD,    SUNDAY  MORNING, 

JUNE  21,   1914. 

POEMS,  BY  A.  F.  FULLER,  OPTLMISTIC  PHILOSOPHER. 

Two  little  volumes  of  poems,  bound  in  green  and  white, 
and  bearing  only  the  modest  title,  "Poems,  by  Arthur  Franklin 
Fuller,"  have  come  to  the  reviewer's  desk  for  criticism.  With 
the  memory  of  a  courageous  cripple-author,  handicapped  and 
suffering,  yet  smilingly  undaunted  and  philosophic,  these  little 
poems  gain  added  interest. 

While  some  of  them  may  be  counted  simply  "verse," 
many,  beautiful  in  diction,  sentiment  and  imagery,  are  really 
gems.  Lyrics,  songs  of  pathos,  elegies,  ballads,  sonnets,  odes, 
hymns  and  some  few  humorous  verses  are  included  in  these 
volumes. 

Particularly  beautiful  are  Mr.  Fuller's  descriptions,  bits 
of  which  are  quoted,  as,  for  instance,  "Twilight": 

"At  last  the  tedious  day  is  at  an  end — 

The  long  cool  shadows  hush  the  world  to  calm; 

The  grateful  quietude  of  twilight  hours, 

Distills  o'er  tired  earth  its  restful  balm. 

From  out  the  clovered  meadow's  misty  depths, 
The  lowing  kine  come  slowly  into  sight; 

Tho  circling  swallows  chirp  their  vesper  hymn, 

And  hoof  and  feather  seem  to  welcome  night." 

Again,  in  the  "Mother's  Song": 

"Soft  the  silver  stars 

Nestle  in  Heaven's  breast, 
Soft  the  mating  birds 

Chirp  to  their  cosy  nest; 
Soft  the  fresh'ning  dew 

Shines  on  each  flowerhead, 
Soft  the  angel  hosts, 

Watch  o'er  my  baby's  bed." 


AP'-HUR  F.   FULTiER  155 

Deep  religious  feeling,  a  philosophical  mind,  an  inspiring 
courage,  and,  despite  his  affliction,  an  altruistic  and  optimistic 
outlook  upon  life  dominates.  Mr.  Fuller's  work  shows  talent 
and,  in  some  cases,  real  genius.  It  is  a  wonderfully  sunny 
philosophy  that  can  forget  one's  pain-racked  body  and  "get 
outside"  of  itself  sufficiently  to  sing: 

"The  happiest  souls  are  those  who  love  to  live, 

Who  love  to  work  and  someone's  need  appease; 
Be  thou  content  with  that  I  deign  to  giVe — 

So  many  lives  are  spoiled  by  too  much  ease — 
If  thou  wilt  strive  with  all  thy  little  might, 

Wilt  labor  hard  with  hand  and  heart  and  head, 
Thy  rhymes  may  gain  thee  lodging  for  a  night, 

May  win  for  thee  a  crust  of  hardened  bread. 

"If  thou  canst  be  a  mouthpiece  for  one  soul, 

Whom  pain,  despair  or  love  hath  stricken  dumb— 

Canst  be  a  message — help  one  gain  a  goal, 

Give  comfort  to  some  heart  by  grief  made  numb, 

Assure  one  fear-crazed  soul  that  nears  the  brink. 
Death's  shoreless  river  leads  to  rest  and  peace, 

Xo  soul  who  has  done  his  best,  here  needs  to  shrink, 

The  hardest  strain  is  sometime  bound  to  cease. 

"If  thou  canst  cheer  one  labored,  drooping  heart, 

Canst  'rouse  the  best  in  one  by  shame  cast  down — 
If  thou  canst  take  the  weaker  vessel's  part, 

Give  one  a  smile  in  place  of  worry's  frown; 
Then  thou  may'st  see  thou  hast  not  wrought  in  vain — 

To  help  one  soul  get  nearer  to  his  God — 
To  strengthen  one  to  bear  his  bitter  pain, 

Is  worth  thy  while,  my  son,  so  onward  plod." 


POSTSCRIPT 

If  this  book  has  pleased  you  and  you  feel  inter- 
ested in  me- — feel  that  you  would  like  to  help  me, 
do  not  loan  it.  If  your  friend  or  neighbor  wants  to 
read  it,  let  him  buy  a  copy.  If  he  reads  yours,  he 
will  extend  me  his  good  opinion,  but  will  never  offer 
to  pay  the  profit  I  should  have  made  on  his  pur- 
chase. There  is  more  curiosity,  sympathy  and  sel- 
fishness in  the  world  than  there  is  justice.  If  the 
sale  has  given  you  your  money's  worth,  that  is  all 
it  should  be  permitted  to  do.  When  you  buy  a  meal, 
a  beef-steak,  a  pair  of  shoes  or  a  cigar,  you  are  the 
only  user  and  the  dealer  has  a  chance  to  make  a 
profit  on  the  things  the  other  fellow  wants. 

Therefore,  if  you  feel  disposed  to  be  fair  in  this 
matter,  let  others  pay  for  the  entertainment,  satis- 
fied curiosity,  obtained  from  reading  my  books. 
Should  you  desire  to  do  me  a  good  turn,  induce 
your  acquaintances  to  buy.  The  cost  of  produc- 
tion (including  photos,  cuts,  stereotyping,  proof- 
reading, linotyping,  paper,  press-work,  binding,  and 
freight)  is  so  great  as  not  to  leave  the  margin  of 
profit  more  than  is  necessary.  I  do  not  ask  reward 
for  my  authorship — just  a  profit  on  this  investment 
in  printed  matter. 

Respectfully, 

The  Author. 


University  of  California 

SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 

305  De  Neve  Drive  -  Parking  Lot  17  •  Box  951388 

LOS  ANGELES,  CALIFORNIA  90095-1388 

teturn  this  material  to  the  library  from  which  it  was  borrowed. 


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